Research Data Infrastructures Group

The Western University Research Data Infrastructures Group (RDI) is a multi-stakeholder effort to investigate research data management (RDM) needs and capacities and to establish best practices, methods, and policies to help Western researchers effectively manage their research data.

Working with campus partners, and building on pre-existing work, the RDI will undertake a survey of internal RDM needs and capacities, examine the state of the discipline in Canada and in higher education, and will issue a series of recommendations to the Vice President Research and the Vice Provost and Chief Librarian.

Sponsor:  Vice President Research and Vice Provost and Chief Librarian

Tasks & Deliverables:

Develop an Institutional Research Data Management Strategy that will comply with section 3.1 of the Tri-Agency Draft Policy on Research Data Management.

  • Identify the infrastructure and expertise needed to securely and ethically support Western RDM needs, identify existing gaps, and develop a set of guidelines to help researchers use existing resources.
  • Identify and develop protocols for working with stakeholders and partners, both internal and external.
  • Consider the intersection of research ethics with RDM, particularly with an eye towards social science and health data
  • Monitor major developments in provincial, national, and international RDM initiatives, and recommend participation where appropriate.
  • Develop and implement an outreach strategy to raise awareness of impending Tri-Agency RDM requirements.

Membership

  • Kristi Thompson, Research Data Management Librarian (Co-chair), Western Libraries
  • Elizabeth Hill, Data Librarian (Co-chair), Western Libraries
  • Erika Basile, Director, Research Ethics and Compliance, Western Research
  • Jacquelyn Burkell, Associate Vice President Research, Western University
  • Lisa Cechetto, Executive Director, Western Research 
  • Colin Couchman, Chief Data Officer, Western University
  • Brent Fowles, Director of Cybersecurity and Business Services, Western Technology Services
  • Kelly Hatch, former Chief Librarian (Acting)
  • Rupinder Mann, Program Manager of Research Informatics, Lawson Research Institute (Lawson Liaison)

This strategy has benefitted from the consultation and advice of too many individuals to list. We particularly  acknowledge the contributions of the following former members of the working group:

  • Katie Big-Canoe, Indigenous Research Officer, Western Research
  • Janis Cardy, Associate Dean of Research, Faculty of Health Sciences 
  • Mark Daley, Chief AI Officer, former Advisor on Digital Strategy
  • Robert Glushko, Associate Chief Librarian (ex officio) 
  • Natalie Wu, Director, Research Services, Western Research