Using a Faculty Recruitment Strategy to Train Research Staff and Students to Develop Data Management Plans

Kevin Read

The University Library and Research Office collaborated to offer a 3-part research data management (RDM) training program for faculty and their research staff and students during the summer of 2024. The training program consisted of an introductory training session in RDM, a workshop where registrants built data management plans (DMPs), and an assignment where registrants submitted a finalized DMP for feedback. This initiative was unique in that participation in the program was dependent on faculty registering their research staff and students to participate. This approach ensured that participants were committed to completing the program and could learn about RDM and develop a DMP in the context of their own research projects. Research staff who completed the program received certificates of completion and students received summer learning credit hours. Sixty seven faculty members registered 132 students and staff to participate. The program’s recruitment strategy helped faculty, students, and staff skill-up in RDM and develop a DMP by requiring faculty commitment for everyone to participate. Using this strategy created team cohesion among participants and fostered a learning environment where registrants could apply what they learned and create a DMP that was directly applicable to their research projects.