Unravelling research data management challenges: A new RDM Review service

Research Data Management (RDM) is complex. As data-driven science continues to increase the diversity of research data, the amount produced, and the rate at which it is produced, the challenges of managing these data also increase. RDM involves both technical and human aspects, with processes and functions spread across different areas of the organisation, often with little or no coordination. As a result, universities and other research intensive organisations can find it difficult to understand what needs to be done and where to get started. Ashiq et al. (2020) reviewed 19 RDM studies in which all of them concur that one of the major challenges is that RDM processes and functions are dispersed across various organisational units within universities, such as IT, research office, and library. Leadership in RDM is required to unite these disparate groups. As an independent, external third party, with a track record of projects and expertise in RDM, technology, and research, Intersect is introducing an RDM Review Service to help universities and other research organisations to unravel RDM gaps and challenges, and provide stable, scalable, and sustainable advice so that universities can maximise the value of their data assets. The Intersect RDM Scoping Study will include a gap analysis, benchmarking current practice against some of the most critical elements of the ARDC RDM Framework and the RISE assessment, and provide organisations with a road map that will include high-level options to address the areas for improvement. (including Ashiq et al. (2020) citation exceeds word count)