Research Data Management (RDM) Workshop: Principles, Policies and Practices
Meeting Room A
Palais des Congrès
RUFORUM and LIBSENSE have collaboratively designed a series of initiatives to provide cutting-edge digital services to higher education and research institutions, promoting open agricultural data repository development while reducing associated costs. This workshop, dedicated to RDM principles, policies, and practices, is vital to this endeavour. The 19th RUFORUM AGM in 2023 focuses on "Transforming Higher Education to Sustainably Foster Prosperity in Africa." In this context, impactful, reproducible, and well-disseminated research is a key driver of sustainable agricultural practices. The establishment of robust RDM policies and practices aligns with this goal.
The RUFORUM Secretariat and LIBSENSE will present the final findings of the needs assessment survey undertaken from February to June 2023 with RUFORUM institutions. The workshop will also incorporate focus group discussions with relevant stakeholders to explore in-depth results from the findings. Member universities of RUFORUM will gain a more thorough understanding of the requirements of open data repositories and the benefits of RDM. The Secretariat will coordinate the development of the open data repository developed as a result of this needs assessment survey.
Aim and Objectives
The workshop aims to open up a discussion about the need to improve RDM principles, policies and practices in light of the current agricultural research landscape in Africa and to expose attendees to key issues concerning the provision of an open agricultural data repository. To achieve this, the following specific objectives will be pursued:
- Introduce important principles behind RDM
- Sensitise attendees to the need for appropriate RDM policies
- Demonstrate state-of-the-art RDM practices using international standards
- Report the findings of the RUFORUM-LIBSENSE needs assessment survey on developing an open agricultural data repository.
- Hold focus group discussions exploring the findings of the survey.
Expected output
The main deliverable for the workshop will be a report to be distributed post-workshop addressing:
- Key issues raised about RDM policies and practices in African Research and Higher Education Institutions
- Summary of Needs Assessment Survey Findings
- Summary of Focus Group Discussions
Participants
Several stakeholders are invited to take part. Participants will have different roles and expectations as outlined below:
- Respondents who participated in the needs assessment survey.
- University leaders, including Vice Chancellors, Principals and Deans responsible for research and innovation.
- Subject experts knowledgeable about research data management to support the open data repository development.
- Other participants, including Researchers, Scientists, and Students, represent relevant stakeholders in developing the open data repository.
