Mrs. Erin Elstermann1, Ms Melanie Dixon1, Mr John Brown1, Dr Fatima Naim1
1Curtin University, Australia
Biography:
Erin Elstermann is the Data Management Officer for the DataHarvest Project at Curtin University’s Centre for Crop and Disease Management. With a Master’s in Biotechnology from the University of Western Australia and a background in plant science and industry experience, Erin supports researchers in the Australian grains industry with research, development, and extension (RD&E) data best practices.
Abstract:
Effective Research Data Management (RDM) is essential in agriculture, where diverse datasets, from field experiment design to soil composition to complex plant physiology and genomics, drive innovation and sustainable practices. In the Australian grains industry, challenges such as inconsistent practices, varying levels of data literacy, and limited organisational support hinder effective RDM. Well-executed RDM can reduce data silos, enhance reproducibility, and facilitate collaboration, helping translate research into practical, scalable outcomes for growers and the industry.
The DataHarvest project, funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), aims to assess the current state of RDM within the Australian grains sector and strengthen its research partners capacity and capability through targeted support and practical training.
Through the delivery of national workshops, we have engaged researchers, data managers, and institutional stakeholders to identify gaps and priorities. In response, we developed a suite of practical resources covering Data Management Plans (DMPs), metadata standards, agricultural vocabularies, and data access conditions and licensing. To encourage adoption, we’ve produced step-by-step instructional videos and continue to offer ongoing support to GRDC partners through a dedicated Support Services Centre.
This presentation will highlight key DataHarvest activities and outcomes to date, including developed resources, the evolution of DMP standards through compliance reporting, and partner feedback. Findings reveal a fragmented but improving RDM landscape, with growing awareness of best practices and a strong demand for practical, discipline-specific support. The early outcomes of DataHarvest demonstrate that accessible resources and sustained guidance are critical for strengthening data stewardship in agricultural research.