Institutional Underpinnings Research Data Management Network

The Challenge

The Institutional Underpinning program, launched in 2021, brought together 25 of Australia’s 42 universities to develop a framework to bring consistency to the management of research data across the university sector. 

The collaboration, the first of its kind in Australia, created a Research Data Management Framework for Australian universities, which will be launched in February 2022. 

The Framework provides expert guidance on the elements essential to university research data management. It also identified gaps where best practice is still unclear, or shared solutions need to be developed to move forward. 

There was a strong appetite from the universities participating in Institutional Underpinnings to continue to work collaboratively to solve these problems and collectively uplift university research data management.

The Approach

To extend the Institutional Underpinnings program, the ARDC has established the Institutional Underpinnings Research Data Management Network (IU RDM Network). The Network will shape and deliver IU Extension activities, which include:

1. Extending the guidance provided in the Research Data Management Framework
2. Continuing the sharing, collaboration and discussion between universities on research data management
3. Designing and delivering 4 collaborative projects to solve shared research data management problems.

The ARDC will work with the IU RDM Network to develop 4 collaborative projects, to be delivered by groups of universities that are members of Network. Each project will receive $200,000 in co-investment from the ARDC.

The IU Extension projects are currently being co-designed by members of the IU RDM Network. Together, the Network members have identified 7 key problem areas that could be addressed by collaborative projects. The Network members will shape project ideas, and the final 4 projects will be selected by the ARDC and the Network in December 2022.

The Network is still open for new member universities. Members can participate in the discussion and design activities of the Network, and have the opportunity to be involved in delivering co-investment projects (although they are not obliged to do so). To enquire about joining, please contact us via the form below.

Who Will Benefit?

Australia’s university sector will benefit from enhanced guidance on research data management, collaboratively-developed resources to address shared problems, and a forum to openly discuss opportunities and challenges and learn from one another.

The Partners

All Australian universities have been invited to join the Institutional Underpinnings Research Data Management Network. Membership is free and requires participation in group discussion. Member universities must nominate a representative who is able to consult with key stakeholders within their institution and represent their views to the Network. 

If your University would like to join the Network, please contact us via the form below.

Target Outcomes

The IU RDM Network will shape and deliver IU Extension activities, which include:

1. Extending the guidance provided in the Research Data Management Framework
2. Continuing the sharing, collaboration and discussion between universities on research data management
3. Designing and delivering 4 collaborative projects to solve shared research data management problems.