My name is Homeyra Banaeefar, and I was privileged to receive a scholarship to attend the RDAP Summit 2025. I am currently an Information Resources Specialist at ICPSR and halfway through obtaining my MLIS from San Jose State University. Notified about RDAP through IASSIST’s email list, I found that the Summit aligns perfectly with my long-term career goals in data librarianship. I am deeply grateful to the sponsors for funding my scholarship, which not only made my participation possible but also underscored the importance of accessibility in professional development.
The RDAP Summit offered a unique platform to connect with many exceptional individuals from the field. While I have attended other conferences such as ALA and SAA, RDAP’s focus on data and its community of like-minded professionals was particularly enriching. The convenience of a virtual conference format allowed me to engage more comfortably and effectively. At the New Members and First-Time Attendees Get-Together, I had the opportunity to meet and converse with some professionals, enriching my network and understanding of the field.
The summit kicked off for me with the "Programming Logic for Non-Programmers" workshop. Although I possess basic Python skills, exploring other programming languages has always piqued my interest. This workshop reinforced that understanding the underlying logic can facilitate the transfer of skills across different programming environments. Another highlight was learning about the DSCPE program, which I believe would significantly enhance my capabilities in data librarianship. Interacting with recent DSCPE graduates and hearing about their capstone projects showed how much librarians can benefit from shared knowledge. I aspire to join this program and contribute to this vibrant learning community. Despite the concurrent scheduling of sessions, the collaborative effort in note-taking by the RDAP community was invaluable. It allowed me to access presentations I could not attend in real-time. Enhancing Repository Practices was one of my favorite sessions, where valuable resources like the "Generalist Repository Comparison Chart," the "Repository Selection Flow Chart," and the "Guide for Including a Generalist Repository in an NIH Data Management and Sharing Plan" were shared. I plan to distribute these resources among my classmates, as they provide essential, straightforward information beneficial for any librarian.
The Summit concluded with a powerful keynote by Casey Fiesler, who focused on ethical best practices in using social media data for research. Her presentation, especially the section on five questions to ask when collecting data, was thought-provoking and emphasized the importance of ethical considerations in research. These insights remind us that thorough preparation and ethical deliberation are crucial before collecting any data and undertaking any research.
In conclusion, the RDAP Summit 2025 was an incredibly rewarding experience that has greatly influenced my professional path in data librarianship. The knowledge gained and the connections made are invaluable assets as I continue my education and career. I look forward to applying these insights and contributing to the field in the future. Thanks again for selecting me as a scholarship recipient and giving me the opportunity to attend this wonderful event.
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