Responding to local data support challenges through a global student DataSquad

The demand for expert data management and manipulation in the research community has never been greater. Luckily, among our students, both at the undergraduate and graduate level, there is also a steady stream of budding data scientists eager for real data experience. Matching their enthusiasm with the campus-wide data wrangling needs is the challenge! 
 
From the 1990’s Carleton College (a 4-year liberal arts institution) has provided opportunities for their students to get real-life research experience and also to address the challenges in providing high quality data support services across the institution. By 2014, the DataSquad model was born. Since then, many students have joined the DataSquad, providing cutting edge data support services across the institution. 
 
The DataSquad model is designed simultaneously to assist libraries and data services in providing data support services. It also gives students practical data experience, giving them a valuable first step on their future careers as data professionals. In 2020 we formed the DataSquad International Working Group to look at how the DataSquad model could be adapted and expanded across different countries and settings. 
 
In early 2021 we conducted a survey of libraries and data archives across the globe, investigating the challenges that they face in delivering data support services with student labor and what barriers exist. We followed up with a lively panel discussion at the 2021 IASSIST Conference. 
 
In this presentation we will begin by discussing the initial findings of this survey, drawing out key trends in data support and barriers. Following the discussion of the survey findings, we will outline the early success of two work-in-progress initiatives currently running at Carleton College and UCLA, a sustainable start-up style programme based on the original DataSquad model. Consideration is also underway to look at whether the DataSquad model can be further adapted by institutions in Canada and in Data Archives who are also tasked with providing data support and face similar challenges to libraries.