Network of experts
RDM Support at the VU consists of a multidisciplinary network of experts, with expertise on general RDM issues, training, Data Management Plans, IT solutions, information security, privacy, legal and ethical issues in the context of research data management. This support is provided by various services, both at faculty and central level, each having their own tasks, roles and responsibilities, work closely together and are complementary and dependent on each other.
How it started
In October 2019, NWO presented the implementation plan “Investeringen digitale onderzoeksinfrastructuur” (Investing in digital research infrastructure). The recommendations in this plan concern the way in which the academic ICT infrastructure and associated expertise in the Netherlands can be strengthened, as well as how the investments for this can be achieved.
The implementation plan foresees a combined approach, with investment in ICT facilities (hardware) as well as investment in a federated system of local and thematic Digital Competence Centres (DCC). The national DCC implementation network is managed by LCRDM and technically supported by SURF with a separate funding mechanism. The VU received funding from NWO to start-up the NRDS as the interpretation given by the VU to the establishment of a DCC.
Goals and ambitions
The available support is combined in the research Data support Network (NeRDS), with as main goals:
- Increase awareness on the merits of research data management;
- Making research data management easier and more efficient;
- Help researchers in organizing the "mandatory/necessary" elements of their research and to ensure that they are enabled to follow of the FAIR principles;
- Making VU research more visible and Accessible;
- Facilitating interdisciplinary research;
- Increasing the trustworthiness of science;
- Making science as open as possible.
The ambition of the Network is that it is a recognizable and lively place for all questions related to research data management. The two main tasks of the NeRDS are:
- Managing RDM tools and services in a management organization that ensures continuity of services to researchers;
- Bundling and coordinating RDM support so that fragmentation of services is prevented and advice is coordinated as well as possible;
An overview of the usage of RDM services and infrastructure in 2023 is given in the RDM monitor.
Community
The Network is an active community in which researchers and support staff meet, inspire, share knowledge and skills and help each other. The Network also provides training and advice as well as connection and exchange between everyone involved in this topic. The NeRDS is an organization that moves and innovates, with people who are in constant contact with each other, the university, researchers and colleagues.
The NeRDS is set up according to the hub and spokes model. A core team has the function of the hub and acts as the central place where information, management and support are bundled and shared with the decentralized spokes. The spokes are the faculty support organizations and other central services involved in RDM support.
The great advantage of this organizational form is the possibility of making connections without a strict hierarchical organization. The various support services of the VU all have similar goals. By connecting them according to the hub and spokes model, we are better able to share knowledge, resources, support staff and competences. The result is high-level support within easy reach for researchers and a clear and recognizable place where knowledge and information come together.
Contact
The NeRDS team consists of a core team of the University Library and the Information Technology department, who cooperate closely together with research support experts within the faculties and research institutes. Find out more on the find support pages.
To keep researchers and research supporters updated on all things related to data management, events, privacy & protection and related IT solutions, the NeRDS publishes a Newsletter. Stay up to date and subscribe to the newsletter via this link.
If you need more information on the NeRDS, you can contact the manager of the network:
Marcel Ras, m.j.m.ras@vu.nl