This week is Open Access Week, and we are highlighting the open access to research data. This entry is written by Library Director Svante Kristensson and describes the situation at the University of Borås when it comes to open access and research data. The Library is also arranging a Library breakfast focused on the subject this Wednesday morning, October 25th.
How is the University working with research data today?
As more and more funders require not just the publication of final results, but that all research data those results are based on should be made publically available and archived, Swedish higher education institutions must prepare for how to support researchers with this process. At the University of Borås, we are doing the following to prepare:
The University will be a part of the newly restructured Swedish National Data service (Svensk Nationell Datatjänst, SND)(linked) which is a consortium under the auspice of the Swedish Research Council. About twenty Swedish higher education institutions with closer connections to the consortia have taken on the responsibility to create Data Access Units which will work as local, distributed, supporting parts of SND. The idea is that the University of Borås, like other participating institutions, will coordinate the research support for research data. For our part this means that the research support from e.g. library, archive, legal services and research advisors will be coordinated in a more efficient way than it is today.
The University is also working within Konstex (a national network for higher education institutions with degree-awarding powers in the arts) to disseminate information about the particularities of what is to be considered as research data within this field.
As part of the recently approved Horizon 2020 project SUITCEYES (Smart, User-friendly, Interactive, Tactual, Cognition-Enhancer that Yields Extended Sensosphere) work has already commenced on formulating a data management plan. All Horizon 2020 projects must present initial documentation demonstrating how they will handle the question of making available and archiving the research data relevant for the project. Representatives from the library and GIO have supported the research group in setting up a data management plan.
The University of Borås works closely with University West and the University of Skövde in the area of open access to research data. Staff members at the three institutions have received relevant training together, and a network for the participants has been created. Right now recruitment is also ongoing for a new research coordinator who will develop the work with research data at the three institutions.
Text: Svante Kristensson
Översättning: Signe Wulund