McGill Research Data Management Strategy - v3.0 -
Goal #1: Increase Awareness
- Obj. 1.1: Promote McGill’s Institutional RDM Strategy to research community members
- Obj. 1.2: Provide forums for feedback to advance RDM efforts at McGill
- Obj. 1.3: Empower researchers to adopt robust RDM practices by leveraging existing institutional resources
- Obj. 1.4: Foster domain-specific communities of practice through symposia, workshops, targeted outreach, and partnerships
Goal #2: Expand RDM Support and Training
- Obj. 2.1: Provide RDM training programs for researchers and students aligning with collaborative efforts both nationally and internationally
- Obj. 2.2: Work with the research community and key stakeholders (e.g., ethics, IT services, procurement, and legal) to improve the following core RDM service domains:
- Obj. 2.2.1: Data management plans (DMPs)
- Obj. 2.2.2: Data sharing, deposit, and preservation
- Obj. 2.3: Leverage existing networks of research support professionals, including the McGill DRS Hub, liaison librarians, and the Digital Research Alliance of Canada (the Alliance), to expand frontline RDM consultation capacity
- Obj. 2.4: Expand and improve support and training services using evidence-based evaluations and reviews
- Obj. 2.5: Increase numbers of staff with expertise to provide RDM-related support and services to advise researchers in RDM best practices
- Obj. 2.6: Increase RDM skills and competencies training across the academic curriculum
Goal #3: Establish a formal governance structure for research data at McGill
- Obj. 3.1: Form an advisory research data committee to the VP-RI, comprised primarily of faculty members with representatives from key stakeholders (e.g., IT, Library, VP-RI, Provost, Research Ethics Boards, etc.) to:
- Obj. 3.1.1: Complete an analysis of relevant policies to ensure our institutional RDM framework is both coherent and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations
- Obj. 3.1.2: Establish roles and responsibilities for compliance with the Tri-Agency RDM policy
- Obj. 3.1.3: Propose revisions to, and updates of, existing research data-related policies
- Obj. 3.1.4: Support departments and faculties in recognizing and rewarding efforts to value good RDM practices and ethical data sharing when possible
- Obj. 3.2: Strengthen communication and coordination with Affiliated Hospitals and research institutes in establishing more streamlined RDM workflows and processes
- Obj. 3.3: Pursue a research data stewardship model that positions McGill as a leader within the larger ecosystem of national and international RDM organizations
- Obj. 3.3.1: Recommend the hiring of a research data privacy officer to oversee institutional capacity in accordance with applicable privacy laws and regulations
Goal #4: Develop RDM Services Through Partnerships
- Obj. 4.1: Seek commitments and investments from RDM service providers, funders, and governmental agencies, to ensure the long-term sustainability of institutional RDM support
- Obj. 4.2: Establish long-term partnerships
- Obj. 4.2.1: Partner with provincial and national RDM infrastructure providers (e.g., Calcul Québec, the Alliance and its FRDR repository, Scholars Portal, etc.) and existing research community platforms to address gaps in repository technologies for managing, sharing, depositing, and archiving sensitive data and large data
- Obj. 4.3: Grow institutional RDM capacity
- Obj. 4.3.1: Develop expertise in RDM amongst research support staff (e.g., grant officers and IT support staff), REB staff and members, and librarians
- Obj. 4.3.2: Promote integrated interoperable systems for research-related records (e.g., DMPs, REB protocols, and institutional grant management)
- Obj. 4.3.3: Focus on ensuring equitable, diverse, and inclusive representation in RDM-related roles