I am Kelley Klor, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, a recent MLIS graduate from the University of Missouri, and a soon-to-be Ph.D. student at the University of Alabama. My interest in the RDAP conference was born out of the interest in ensuring best practices for data accessibility and, ultimately, data sovereignty. As a member of a Native American tribe and an early career archival professional, I am especially interested in Indigenous data sovereignty because of the historical erasure of Indigenous people, and the importance of data gathering and use in Indigenous communities.

I enjoyed the content of the Community-centered initiatives session. Specifically, I found the lightning talk, “The ‘I’ in FAIR: Developing a Variable Standards Finder for Researchers” by Heather Barnes and Sabrina McCutchan insightful. Similar to Barnes and McCutchan’s data needs of the HEAL project, Indigenous data must be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR). However, in many Indigenous communities, data needs simply aren’t met because the community has little control over their own information. One example of data important to Indigenous communities is the data about boarding schools, which is often scattered among various repositories and inaccessible. Learning about variable standards in this presentation was thought-provoking because such standards could be extremely useful when they are culturally appropriate and applied to Indigenous data.

Beyond the sessions, I thought this conference was well-planned and offered great opportunities to network and forge meaningful connections. I enjoyed the conversations I had with my conference buddy, Danica, and our mentor, Nina. I also enjoyed the intentional social time, such as playing virtual Scattergories, which was a first for me.

I found the time spent attending the conference was valuable, and although I missed a few sessions that I wanted to attend due to work, I am excited to watch the recordings and continue learning more. Thank you for this opportunity and wonderful experience!

Up until March 31st, I worked as a research associate with the World Data System International Technology Office (WDS-ITO). The WDS is a community of data repositories and affiliated organizations who have a shared interest in ensuring high quality data and processes that feed into and enable first class research. The goal of the ITO is to support the capabilities, impact, and sustainability of our member repositories and research infrastructure on the whole through the building of trustworthy and enduring global research data infrastructure for the public good.

I was fortunate to attend the RDAP 2024 Summit as both a participant for all sessions and as a speaker for Session 4A. My work within the ITO focused on supporting the Research Data Alliance Global Open Research Commons International Model Working Group (RDA GORC IM WG), whose outputs of an international commons model I co-created and presented on at RDAP2024. Participating in RDAP2024 helped shed light on where research infrastructures big and small are encountering roadblocks to research data management and interoperability, which is extremely helpful for identifying where to focus building the model and developing implementations that address what infrastructure providers, data librarians, and research support staff are experiencing on the ground.

Although I won’t be working with the WDS-ITO anymore, I will continue to work with RDA groups and specifically the GORC IM WG in my new role at the Digital Research Alliance of Canada. My experience at RDAP2024 helped prepare me for the types of technical and procedural issues that are at play for supporting research in our changing environment. One area that continues to surprise me is how to deal with sensitive and restricted data such that it complies with all legal and ethical frameworks but is still of use to the research community, and in particular is FAIR. It was surprising to learn that encryption and deidentification of data don’t fulfill the same requirements for sensitive data - you can’t just do one or the other! Data needs to be deidentified before being encrypted to be compliant with our legal frameworks.

It was incredible to hear all of the different projects and experiences from folks in so many different positions. I was especially blown away by Abigail Goben in Session 7B who relayed her experience and tips on data services strategic planning and the need to work with governance to secure interest and resources. I learned a lot about navigating relatively high-stakes interactions through Abigail’s incredible presentation and thoughtful discussion.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the summit, I was shocked by how many folks were reinventing the wheel within their institutions. I am privileged to have worked in an internationally-focused organization and exposed to the plethora of resources from the global community on all-things-data, such as RDA outputs. I would love to see folks from RDAP participate directly in the international community, or at least consider using some of the work that’s already been done to save time and effort.

The organization, curation, and preservation of research data are vital issues in research activities today, and they are also the fields that I am centering on during my research journey. The RDAP24 summit was an excellent platform for professionals and researchers from all over the world, across various positions and institutions, who share interests in this field, to meet and exchange their stories, findings, and ideas. Such exchanges of information and knowledge are sure to be very helpful to many people at this conference, including me.

I found many impressive presentations and sessions at this summit. From Iratxe Puebla’s keynote speech about the Data Citation Corpus project, I was introduced to the concept of a corpus. It represents the first research infrastructure to support the efforts of Make Data Count, and I believe it points out a promising direction to identify and track data usage. I am also considering using this corpus for my investigations in the future.In the lightning talk titled “Interoperability between Specialized Data Repositories,” Brendan Honick and Mariah Kenney introduced the NIH BRAIN Initiative Consortium, where data can flow through multiple specialized data repositories. Their efforts are highly referable for building similar infrastructures in many other fields, such as social science.

During the panel 'Supporting Cross-Disciplinary Communities with Lifecycle Data Infrastructure', representatives from critical stakeholder groups in research data management came together. They introduced their efforts to provide infrastructures and design policies to overcome the barriers that research communities face in their pursuits of FAIR data. The discussion also covered how breakthroughs in product development can enable communities to normalize FAIR data practices and sharing. Cross-disciplinary research data management and communication present challenges that have captured the attention of both academia and industry. As a doctoral student spending most of my time on campus with other researchers, I primarily hear about these topics from researchers on campus. Therefore, it was incredibly meaningful and helpful for me to encounter stakeholders from institutions other than universities and listen to their experiences and insights. What I learned from their sharing and discussions is very inspiring to me and has given me many thoughts on my current work.

Last but not least, I want to express my gratitude to the presenters at RDAP for sharing their ideas, and to the Membership Committee for allowing me to participate in this year's conference. Thank you very much for all your contributions and efforts on this wonderful summit. I am looking forward to all the RDAP activities in the remaining year and expecting to make some contributions to this community and the joint efforts on better research data preservation. I can’t wait to attend the 2025 summit.

Being an early career professional, I am still comparatively new to the world of data services and practices. The RDAP Summit 2024 gave me an amazing opportunity to learn about the said world by enhancing my understanding of the latest trends in interoperability and giving me an introduction to the community.

As a current Data Management Program Assistant in the University of Illinois-Chicago Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, I have the privilege of collaborating with a diverse range of university researchers in supporting ethical and secure data management and sharing practices. Thus, I was particularly excited to expand the knowledge directly related to my skills. As such, Zixin Nie’s presentation on PIIs has provided a valuable framework to identify privacy risks within the data. I found this presentation very informative as I might have to help researchers catch these risks in my role.

Additionally, coming from a technical background, I was very inspired by presenters introducing technology solutions to research data problems. For instance, Chreston Miller and LaDale Winling from Virginia Tech gave a very insightful presentation on how NLP technology can be used to identify patterns of racial discrimination in text documents. Furthermore, I was very impressed by Talya Cooper and Vicky Rampin’s project, which addresses a very acute problem and creates an ecosystem to preserve both software and its documentation as key elements of reproducibility. Working on my own code, as well as assisting researchers in the safe deposit of their software, I was always concerned about the systems we currently have in place, so this project makes me very hopeful about new solutions.

Finally, I think what I most enjoyed about the Summit was the community aspect. I highly appreciated all the questions and comments the participant left as well as the opportunities to network. Despite being held virtually I could feel everyone’s eagerness to learn and share knowledge.

Overall, the RDAP Summit was a highly inspiring and informative experience. I am very grateful to everyone who made this Summit possible for this wonderful opportunity!

Reflecting on RDAP Summit 2024: Fostering Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration

As a current library and information science MA student, attending the RDAP 2024 Summit Conference was a transformative experience. Throughout the conference, I delved into discussions surrounding the intersection of data accessibility, interdisciplinary research, and community-centered approaches. This immersive event not only broadened my perspectives but also provided invaluable insights that I am eager to apply in my academic and professional endeavors.

One of the standout aspects of the Summit was the emphasis on leveraging others' research, workflows, and insights to inform and enrich my own work. Sessions and presentations showcased diverse applications of research in enhancing data accessibility across interdisciplinary domains. Particularly compelling were discussions on reaching out to various disciplines to facilitate their data management workflows and fostering a deeper understanding of research approaches and purposes across disciplines. This resonated deeply with my research interests, especially in the context of emerging technologies like generative AI and machine learning. Many speakers and sessions resonated with my belief in the transformative power of community engagement in shaping research practices and outcomes. Furthermore, the Summit's theme, "Building on Experience: Centering Communities in Data Creation and Access," underscored the significance of prioritizing inclusivity and collaboration in data stewardship efforts.

Throughout the conference, I was inspired by the passionate speakers who shared their experiences and insights. Engaging with these speakers and fellow attendees allowed for stimulating discussions and invaluable networking opportunities. The enthusiasm with which my questions were met highlighted the supportive and collaborative ethos of the RDAP community. I enjoyed having the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with like-minded professionals and researchers. The sense of camaraderie and shared purpose fostered an enriching learning environment. Additionally, I was pleasantly surprised by the wealth of practical insights and strategies offered to address real-world challenges in data management and accessibility.

Looking ahead, I am excited to integrate the knowledge and insights gained from the RDAP Summit into my research and professional practice. I am confident that the connections made and lessons learned will continue to guide my journey as a researcher and member of the RDAP community. The Summit has reinforced my commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and community-centered approaches in data access and preservation efforts, and I look forward to contributing to these endeavors in meaningful ways.

As a Visiting Assistant Professor at Emory University, specializing in gender studies and photography, my attendance at the Summit proved to be an enlightening experience, particularly concerning the accessibility, reproducibility, and long-term preservation of data and archives—a crucial aspect of my research in developing a queer photography website. This platform aims to showcase LGBTQI archives and contemporary queer photography images, necessitating an extension of my expertise in data archives and management. One key insight gleaned from the Summit was the significance of archiving research software, a topic previously overlooked in my considerations. The session underscored the pivotal role of software in achieving reproducibility in scholarly work. Discovering tools like Memento Tracer, facilitating the creation of repeatable formats for archiving websites, and OCCAM, ensuring the quality of scholarly software, provided valuable knowledge to integrate into my website development. By incorporating these tools, not only can the preservation of LGBTQI archives and contemporary queer photography be enhanced, but also the reproducibility and integrity of the research process. 

What stood out most during the Summit was the abundance of resources available for research data management (RDM). As someone relatively new to this field, the discovery of different reports on making research data publicly accessible proved immensely beneficial. Additionally, the Summer RDM Workshops offered practical guidance on integrating RDM into academic practice. The Summit served as a platform to explore diverse perspectives and initiatives in RDM, shedding light on the varying levels of support provided by different institutions. While some institutions boast robust support for regulated research data management, others are still in the developmental stages of their frameworks. Understanding these nuances will shape my approach to data management within my academic and archival projects, ensuring their efficacy and longevity.

Attending the RDAP Summit 2024 as a recipient of both the RDAP Summit Scholarship and an RDAP membership has been an incredibly enriching personal experience for me. The summit, held online this March, provided a platform for me to grasp the depth of the diverse and powerful world of research data access and preservation.

One standout aspect of this experience has been my pairing with a mentor, Ali Krzton, who guided me through the entirety of the conference's ecosystem. Initially, navigating the conference schedule and platform, PheedLoop, seemed daunting, but with Ali's assistance through email exchange, I was able to seamlessly explore the various sessions and workshops on offer. Ali has been extremely supportive, kind, and thoughtful in offering her help and insights, and her enthusiasm truly worked wonders. Ali's own lightning talk, 'Enriching IR Metadata via the DOI Registrar,' emphasized the need to curate and improve metadata for better accessibility and visibility.

Another session that particularly resonated with me was the keynote address by Iratxe Puebla titled 'Responsible Data Stewardship Needs Data Metrics.' The session underscored the significance of data metrics in ensuring responsible data stewardship and highlighted the potential limitations in the exposure of datasets despite having assigned DOIs. 

Another intriguing session was 'Bridging Data Literacy Boundaries with a Data Management Plan Email Course' by Kaitlin Throgmorton. This innovative approach to data literacy, delivered through asynchronous email modules, emphasized the importance of self-guided learning and leveraging existing tools for enhancing data management skills. It was one of the key takeaway sessions for me. As a frequent email user myself, I am motivated to simplify learning through basic technological tools. While email may seem basic to the current generation, its efficient use can make education accessible, enabling seamless and efficient learning for almost everyone on a global scale.

Throughout the summit, I took notes, capturing key insights on various topics, including all the new things that I learned about Research Data Framework (RDaF), FAIR data principles, open data policy, data sharing policies, metadata management, and transparent data metrics. Additionally, I gained valuable insights into initiatives such as the Data Citation Corpus, data catalogs, and projects like Make Data Count and DataCite. I also learned why and how research data access and preservation are vital components of scientific progress and integrity, facilitating reproducibility, transparency, and collaboration across disciplines. Accessible data not only supports knowledge advancement and innovation but also informs evidence-based policymaking and fosters public engagement with science. Ethical considerations emphasize the need to protect data while ensuring its availability for scrutiny and future reference, ultimately enhancing the long-term impact and relevance of research efforts.

I was thoroughly impressed by the remarkable organization demonstrated by the RDAP team throughout the entire summit experience. From receiving timely email updates to navigating the conference schedules seamlessly on the PheedLoop platform, which I tried for the first time ever, every aspect of the ecosystem was impeccably managed and easily accessible. The efficiency and attention to detail displayed by the team made the entire event a smooth and enjoyable experience, and I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it.

Most importantly and overall, my experience at the RDAP Summit 2024 was not only educational but also inspiring. It reaffirmed my commitment to advancing research data access and preservation, equipping me with valuable knowledge and resources to contribute meaningfully to this evolving field. I am greatly looking forward to contributing as an RDAP member in meaningful and productive ways in the upcoming year.

Nanditha Krishna
Integrated Masters (M.A) English Language and Literature (2019-2024)
https://nandithakrishna.home.blog/
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5536-4993
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
Amritapuri, India

My name is Amara Hays, and I am a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. I am currently an MLIS student at the University of South Florida. I heard about RDAP through American Indian Library Association (AILA). I decided to apply for a scholarship to attend the virtual conference. I am grateful to have been chosen for a scholarship. I applied to attend the conference because I wanted to learn more about data librarianship. Specifically, I wanted to learn more about what data librarians do and how data librarians contribute to information science. I came into the conference with no prior knowledge of data librarianship or experience in the field.

Overall, I liked the varied content of the presentations, lightning talks, and posters. It really showcased the current research that is being conducted in the field. I felt that the conference topics and content were interesting and thought provoking. I appreciated that the presentations, lightning talks, and posters were clear and concise. I am a novice, and I found the research findings easy to comprehend. Some presenters went over their key findings more than once, which made their presentations easy to follow. I also liked that users had the opportunity to engage with the presenters in a Q & A at the end of each session. I was surprised by some of the issues that data librarians currently face. I had no idea that metadata could present so many issues. It was interesting to see the connection between my coursework and some of the topics covered in the presentations and lightning talks. I have gained a whole new appreciation for data librarianship and all that data librarians do by attending the conference.

I found the Pheedloop portal easy to access and navigate. I loved that I could attend the conference from the comfort of my home and choose which sessions I wanted to attend. I also liked the fact that there were many ways for people to interact with each other during the conference. I think this added to the whole experience and made it feel like I was attending in person. I can see myself attending another RDAP conference in the future, whether in person or online. Thank you for the wonderful experience.

At this year’s RDAP conference, I picked up a number of helpful tips for increasing the library’s involvement in data services. I belong to an R1 institution; however, our library doesn’t play a particularly active role in the data services provided on campus. As our Scholarly Communication Librarian, I manage our institutional repository and, as such, I am excited to have taken away a few more strategies for supporting researchers in the era of the Nelson memo.

From Iratxe Puebla’s keynote address, I discovered that our datasets—though they have assigned DOIs—may not be getting great exposure in the Data Citation Corpus. I hadn’t heard of the Make Data Count project and am looking forward to investigating further. Along similar lines, Ali Krzton delivered a lightning talk highlighting the need to enrich DataCite records with metadata maintained in repositories. This is something that our datasets would also benefit from as we have sometimes used rather minimal metadata when registering DOIs in DataCite.

I was interested to hear as well about data catalogs, as described by Anthony Dellureficio and Klara Pokrzywa from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. At Washington State University (WSU), we use an Ex Libris product for our institutional repository. It’s a tool that emphasizes integration between various kinds of scholarly outputs, but I am still intrigued by the capabilities of the data catalog to track use/reuse of datasets while also connecting researchers. I’m looking forward to investigating further, and I’m also interested in reaching out to our instruction team to see if we can try out some relatively low-stakes opportunities for increasing engagement around data. For instance, Elena Azadbakht and Teresa Schultz described a promising technique for delivering data management tips via email, using incentives to encourage campus involvement. We’ve tried something similar at WSU and I think we would benefit from circling back to this idea with some tweaks and improvements.

Many thanks to the presenters at RDAP for sharing their ideas and the Membership Committee for allowing me to participate in this year’s conference.

Like many of you, the Executive Board is left heavy-hearted almost beyond speech by the atrocities of the last few weeks in both Israel and Palestine, and the escalation currently ongoing. 

I am not an expert in this history, and do not have direct ties to the communities most impacted—I cannot speak for anyone but myself. But I have been listening, and the world is more connected now than it has ever been. I know members of our community are grieving deeply. Some of those we know and love may have faced almost unimaginable losses already. At the same time, the U.S. is encouraging escalating military force without restraint, in some cases even using language supporting ethnic cleansing or genocide—and I am implicated, too, because my tax dollars are part of the funding that seems to be available for death but too rarely in service of life, in the U.S. or elsewhere.

I know there is no perfect way to account for the generational pain, trauma, and myriad different perspectives of many in a short statement. I hope everyone is listening to the voices of those most affected who are managing to speak out. But there are situations in which to say nothing amounts to complicity with the narrative of violence as a solution, and governmental lack of respect for human life. This is asymmetric state violence. Islamophobia and Antisemitism are being used to stoke hatred and aggression across the world, including in the U.S. If we as an organization care about truth, data, and DEIA (and I believe we do)—if we care about each other—we need to support one another.

What I do know, in my bones, is that even when arguments can be made for the necessity of violence, the dehumanization of others is always evil, and leads to ever greater evils—and we are seeing it happen (yet again) before our eyes. People have inherent dignity; governments do not. No one deserves to be wiped from existence because of their identity. It is past time for a ceasefire, including a cessation of the blockade and widespread bombing of Gaza, and the release of Israeli civilian hostages. 

I know that I still have a lot to learn, and will make mistakes, but my heart is with those who are suffering; you are seen and valuable, and you do not deserve this.