MQ Research data stewards in fostering excellence in research data management
Piyachat Ratana1, Laura L. Hurley 1, Mahdieh Dashtbani Moghari1 1Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia
Abstract
Macquarie University (MQ) took a significant step in 2021 by introducing and implementing the Research Data Management (RDM) Framework. One key component of the RDM Framework was the establishment of a new Research Data Steward role to support the policy change. This initiative reflects MQ’s strong commitment to effective data management, protection, and compliance, with research data stewards ensuring that researchers appropriately classify and manage their data based on its sensitivity. To do this, the research data stewards work closely with various research support units across MQ including IT, Library, Research Ethics and Integrity, and Graduate Research Academy, fostering a holistic approach to data management and compliance.
The role of the research data steward at MQ is to bridge the gap between researchers and data management practices. The primary objective is to ensure researchers handle, document, and preserve research data appropriately, making it accessible, FAIR, and compliant with ethical guidelines, institutional and national policies, and legal requirements. This involves reviewing Data Management Plans, providing guidance to researchers, organising and delivering workshops, developing self-help resources and documentation, and offering individual consultations.
In summary, research data stewards at Macquarie University work closely with researchers and other stakeholders to facilitate effective data management, protection, and compliance, while ensuring the long-term integrity and accessibility of research data. Their role is instrumental in fostering a culture of data integrity, protection, and accessibility across the institution. This dedication is evident through improved understanding of RDM practices and clearer statements about data management in Ethics applications.
Biography
Piyachat Ratana (ORCID: 0000-0002-1853-2860) is a Research Data Steward at Macquarie University who join Research Data Management (RDM) team in October 2022. Piy has a PhD in Soil, Water and Environmental Science from University of Arizona with ten years of experience as an environmental researcher and over eight years in eResearch and academic libraries as a data librarian and research data officer. Her expertise includes research data management, good practices and planning, FAIR research outputs, data publishing, research data repository, and digital archive and preservation.
Laura L. Hurley (ORCID: 0000-0003-1688-6662) is a research data steward who joined the Research Data Management (RDM) team in late 2021 and is primarily responsible for reviewing Human Ethics DMPs and data management statements in Human Research Ethics Applications and advising the high risk HREC committees. She has a PhD in avian reproduction from Macquarie University, with 23 years of experience working, studying, and teaching across multiple higher degree institutions in US and Australia in both animal and human research. Her RDM expertise includes research data management, good practices and planning, and compliance with Ethics policy and legislation.
Mahdieh Dashtbani Moghari (ORCID: 0000-0001-9722-6433) is the manager of the research data management (RDM) team at Macquarie University. She joined the RDM team in February 2023, bringing with her over nine years of industry and academic experience in data-driven research, data analysis, and management. With a PhD in Biomedical Engineering specialising in computational neuroimaging from the University of Sydney, Mahdieh’s expertise lies in various areas, including data-driven research, the integration and manipulation of big data, data management, analysis, modelling, and visualization, artificial intelligence (AI), and statistics.