EDIJ and Decolonisation in Data Management

Data management is a vital component of all research, including within the biosciences. Equity, diversity, inclusion, justice (EDIJ) and decolonisation are important concepts which need to be considered and implemented across all fields, including within data management in the biosciences, but their consideration is often overlooked by researchers when designing research protocols and data management plans.

Here, we present a primer giving an overview of these concepts and why they should be considered when creating a data management strategy, including how this can improve not just individual experiences within research as staff and participants but also the quality of research outcomes generated. We have detailed the factors necessary to implement these concepts within each stage of the data cycle and have then provided three case studies showing how these concepts can be applied in data management in ecological, disability and neglected disease research.

Overall, this article summarises key considerations in EDIJ and decolonisation, giving a starting point and a list of relevant further reading for researchers within the biosciences to incorporate EDIJ and decolonisation within their data management practices going forward.