The NSF Data Management Plan Requirement: An Opportunity and Challenge for Research Data Librarians

Date: Thursday, June 02
Time: 14:15-15:45
Location: 100 Asia Pacific Hall, Centre for Dialogue
Chair: Jake Carlson
Affiliation: Purdue University Libraries

Abstract: Since its initial announcement in May 2010, the NSF Data Management Plan requirement has helped to bring research data curation concerns into sharp focus at U.S. research institutions. The requirement obligates researchers to examine and plan for the management of their research data, and presents both opportunities and challenges for libraries. The data management and sharing requirements mandated by NSF and other funding agencies provide data librarians with significant leverage to initiate conversations and collaborations with faculty, IT professionals and administrators. However, this new requirement is broadly worded to encourage the future development of community-driven standards, leading to uncertainty over how to respond in the short-term. A comprehensive response to the NSF requirement goes beyond libraries and necessitates close coordination with other campus units, many of whom are unfamiliar with the full complexity of managing, sharing, enabling re-use, and preserving data sets. This panel brings together four data librarians to discuss how they have used the NSF requirement as a springboard for engaging researchers. The speakers will address outreach and service initiatives in response to the requirement, including challenges encountered and outcomes achieved. They will also discuss new opportunities to enhance or build data curation services.