Agents of Change - Skills and Strategies for RDM Professionals. A Workshop Concept.

This poster was presented during the 3rd "Data Stewardship Goes Germany Workshop" in Aachen. 

Abstract:

The role of Research Data Management (RDM) professionals, including Data Stewards, Research Data Managers, and Data Curators, is increasingly critical in the scientific community at both national and international levels. Job advertisements for these positions vary widely, encompassing general RDM support, discipline-specific roles, project-based assignments, and positions within libraries, computer centers, and other institutions or service units. To meet the growing demand for skilled professionals, numerous training programs and courses have emerged, catering to career changers and those pursuing degrees in RDM. Initiatives such as Train-the-Trainer and various technical courses provide valuable education, covering basic and advanced RDM knowledge. However, they often lack training on fostering a FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data culture and developing relevant strategies. Job advertisements for RDM professionals can be vague or differ from actual work practices. New RDM services, in particular, may suffer from a lack of clear role definitions and an understanding of the impact RDM professionals have within their institutions or projects. Addressing this gap, a new training initiative integrated into the KonsortSWD work program aims to support RDM professionals as change agents who significantly contribute to implementing FAIR data and Open Science principles. To our knowledge, this training is unique. The need for such a program is supported by feedback from Data Stewards and other RDM professionals and is echoed in current European initiatives like the Minimal Viable Skillset for Data Stewards (Skills4EOSC)[1]. This program explores the roles of RDM professionals, including Data Stewards and Research Data Managers, considering the current state of data stewardship in Germany and abroad.  

Participants will learn about and discuss required competencies for their daily work and engage with self-marketing strategies to enhance communication about their work and collaboration with stakeholders. The program delves into essential skills and strategies for professional growth, resilience fundamentals, and stakeholder analysis. This also includes goal setting, understanding the impact of changes on stakeholders, learning about change management, and explore self-efficacy resources. Additionally, the program offers a list of networking opportunities and introduces a participant buddy program to foster connections. 

In summary, this training project fills a significant gap in the current landscape of RDM professional development. By focusing on the practical and strategic aspects of data stewardship, it empowers RDM professionals to be effective change agents in their institutions. This workshop aims to provide confidence in their roles to promote FAIR data practices and contribute to the broader goals of Open Science. Through networking and continuous development, participants will be better equipped to navigate the challenges of working in the field of research data management. We invite participants of the Data Stewardship Goes Germany Workshop to discuss this workshop concept critically and provide valuable feedback on their own experiences. The first iterations of this workshop concept are planned in October and November of 2024.