"It's like a risk assessment for your data". The Data Management Plan Review service at the University of Cambridge

This lightning talk was delivered as part of the 'Evolving DMPs: Smart, active, integrated, useful!' workshop organised by the Physical Sciences Data Infrastructure at the 20th International Digital Curation Conference.

Abstract: Writing a DMP can be a confusing and daunting task for researchers. Funder research data policies and DMP requirements vary, and their guidance can often be overwhelming while giving little actual space to write a plan.

The research data team at the University of Cambridge offers a university-wide Data Management Plan Review service to all Cambridge researchers. Reviews of draft DMPs can be requested via a form on the Research Data website, where there is also a page of general guidance on DMPs. Review requests should be submitted at least 7 working days before the grant application deadline.

Reviews of draft DMPs help to spot missing or unclear information, suggest improvements and check that the plan meets funder data policy requirements. The Review service aims (as with DMPs in principle) to help researchers consider common potential issues as early on in a research project as possible. Unclear storage plans or missing consent details for example may cause serious problems further down the line when it comes to managing or publishing research data.

 This lightning talk will outline how the service being offered to Cambridge researchers is delivered and the challenges that arise from writing DMPs, both for researchers and the research data team that support them in this process.

Speaker biography: Clair Castle is Research Data Manager in the Open Research team at University of Cambridge Libraries and Archives. The research data management service at Cambridge offers training, tools and guidance to help researchers embed research data management practices throughout their project, and to publish research data on the institutional repository, Apollo. Prior to her current role, Clair managed biological and physical sciences library services at Cambridge, supporting research staff and students. See Clair’s ORCID record and LinkedIn profile for further information.