How can research institutions get involved with the ARDC’s Thematic Research Data Commons (and national research infrastructure more broadly?)
Kerry Levett1, Nichola Burton1 1ARDC Australia
Abstract
The ARDC is developing a suite of Thematic Research Data Commons (RDCs), with 3 RDCs currently underway: the HASS and Indigenous RDC, People RDC (health and medical), and the Planet RDC (earth and environmental sciences).
The ARDC is co-designing and delivering digital research infrastructure (DRI) in the RDCs through collaborative partnerships, including with the public and private sectors, universities, publicly funded research agencies, NCRIS, and other relevant stakeholders.
Research institutions are key partners because their research groups are both the creators and users of cutting-edge disciplinary research platforms. Institutions play a key role in developing and supporting platforms and services that are used nationally and internationally by both researchers and decision makers, such as EcoCommons, Global Archive, Open EcoAcoustics, and ERICA. These platforms drive world-leading research, enable collaborations, and showcase expertise at their institution.
However, disciplinary initiatives can be complicated for institutions, particularly when supporting users from outside the institution. How can institutions best balance supporting the national initiatives that enable their researchers, while also supporting the local needs of the institution?
In this BoF we invite those working in institutional research infrastructure and IT to discuss questions including:
•How can research institutions contribute to shaping and delivering the RDCs?
•How might RDC activities rely or build upon existing institutional services?
•How do research institutions approach supporting disciplinary initiatives that go beyond the bounds of one institution?
•How can institutions support their researchers to use National DRIs, without losing track of their research data and IP?
Biography
Kerry is the Solution Architect for the Planet RDC. She was an environmental science researcher before moving into research data management. She works to bridge the gap between the users and the builders of digital research infrastructure to create platforms and services that will transform research.
Nichola is the program manager for Institutional Underpinnings, which brings together Australian universities to uplift institutional research data management capability.