Exciting research data
summary mini-symposium April 2010
Research data are not boring!
That research data are not boring was certainly the message that we took home on 22nd and 23rd of April 2010; about 60 curious researchers of Dutch technical universities, and (inter)national data specialists gathered together at the TU Delft Library for the mini-symposium and workshop 'Solutions for Managing your Research Treasure: Scientific Data Services'. Two days of inspiring speakers, philosophical debate and useful tips gave enough food for thought. Were you there too - then read more and check out the photos and presentations from the event(s).
All but a simple thing
The symposium on 22nd of April offered a mix of views - from experts in digital curation to scientists and support service providers. That research data management and digital data curation is all but a simple thing was shown at the very beginning in the presentation of Kevin Ashley, director of the UK Digital Curation Center.
Whereas data management is the primary goal for digital curation experts, for scientists it is just a tool to enhance their research. Two leading scientists, both Herman Russchenberg from TU Delft and Anthony Brown from Leiden Observatory, showed overwhelming floods of bytes produced in their research groups, the need for proper data management practices from the very beginning of the research projects and as well some solutions. 3TU.Datacentrum, an initiative of the three Dutch universities of technologies, is undertaking an important role in building a data center to offer solutions to manage research data, explained Jeroen Rombouts, project manager of 3TU.Datacentrum.
And for those who thought that data were boring, the Amersfoort-based collective of visual artists and scientists in one, the Spullenmannen, proved the opposite. Their original and creative way of visualizing research data is the way of dealing with science that hopefully will find its place in future.
Data do matter!
The organizers of the symposium are pleased with the enthusiastic reactions of the audience. As Maria Heijne, director of the TU Delft Library, expressed her wish that hopefully at the end of the symposium we'll all agree that data matter, that there is a need for scientific data management in Netherlands, and that the dialog between curation experts and scientists will be initiated".
Check out here some photos of the mini-symposium.
Workshop 23rd of April 'Digital Curation'
The one-day workshop delivered by the Digital Curation Center built on the discussions of a previous day while providing thorough overview of the digital curation lifecycle model, digital repository audit method based on risk assessment (DRAMOBORA), data management plan checklists & template toolkit, and data audit framework (DAF). The three instructors, Joy Davidson, Sarah Higgins, Sarah Jones (girl-power is back) were a guarantee for a high-tempo, educational day; sometimes with a charming Scottish accent. The workshop was supplemented with course material and the presentations of the instructors can be downloaded from this page. Wish to know more? Read also blog of a participant Inge Angevaare or contact the organizers Alenka Princic or Ellen Verbakel.
We are looking forward to welcoming you at one of our upcoming events!
The organizing team at TU Delft Library & 3TU.Datacentrum
Links to the presentations of the workshop 'Digital Curation':