A day in the life off a UCL Research Data Steward

This FAIRytale offers a first-person account of life as a Principal Research Data Steward at University College London’s Centre for Advanced Research Computing (ARC). Nicholas Owen reflects on his transition from rare disease researcher and bioinformatician to steward, detailing his role supporting research data practices across life sciences. The story highlights ARC’s unique collaborative model, its agile approach to project work, and the development of services such as data storage platforms, data catalogues, and training materials. He also explores his engagement with national and international communities (ELIXIR-UK, GA4GH, RDA) and the importance of building connections between siloed research groups. With a focus on enabling researchers and improving data culture, this piece showcases the evolving impact and professional identity of research data stewards in academia.