ARDC Digital Research Capabilities and Skills Framework: The Framework and Its Components

The ARDC's Digital Research Capabilities and Skills Framework, released in 2022, provides a structure for training programs to develop essential and advanced digital research skills. It aims to help researchers and professionals identify the necessary skills they need to leverage emerging opportunities in data management, data analysis, data linking, AI, and machine learning. The framework aligns with technological advancements and encourages ongoing discussion and contributions to evolve the coverage of digital research skills.

The framework focuses on digital research skills, excluding broader professional skills, and is intended for a wide range of stakeholders. It provides a structured approach for project teams and organisations to develop and enhance their digital research skills through six main components: a skills taxonomy, a skills glossary, a list of generalised roles, roles and skills-related profiles, learning paths, and a skills and roles matrix. The skills taxonomy classifies digital research skills into four capability families: Governance, Data, Software, and Digital Research Infrastructure Management. It provides a standard terminology for identifying and describing these skills.