Answering the call: researcher-driven training in data management

While CSIRO's Research Data Service (RDS) has been promoting sound data management practices and the sharing of data, uptake has been inconsistent, and fallen largely to early adopters, those required by publishers or funders, and those with other motivations. Across CSIRO, data management awareness is limited to small pockets: large facilities have detailed requirements, but the approach is inconsistent. Meanwhile, the explosion in data science is driving a need for a holistic approach to upskilling researchers. Researchers from the Agriculture and Food (A&F) research unit called for support for developing better data skills and approached their executive for assistance, and the Ag & Food Data School was born. In consultation with the A&F Data School organisers, an activities-based RDM component using the Carpentries model was presented in April 2018. This material was collaboratively refined and presented in October 2018. Deep engagement has flowed from these sessions. CSIRO's Learning and Development unit are working with RDS team members to take this to an enterprise level initiative. Peer-to-peer learning has a great chance of success. Partnering with researchers helps support teams connect concepts with researchers' practice. Co-design training with engaged researchers, as collaboration is the key to improving data culture and practice.