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A Forum has been set up, directed by SURFfoundation, to collaborate on storing and exchanging research data. The Research Data Forum aims to improve how research data is managed and to enable better access to such data for scientists/scholars and the public. Collaborating in the Research Data Forum will prevent work being duplicated and enable activities to be coordinated effectively. The Forum brings together initiatives developed by a number of different organisations: DANS, 3TU, Tilburg University, the Netherlands Coalition for Digital Preservation (NCDD), and SURFfoundation.

More possible with research data
Advances in information technology open up a wide range of possibilities for sharing information and data. Sharing research data offers many possibilities for new research. It is no longer necessary, for example, to repeat certain research, and data can be added to more efficiently. Making large quantities of data automatically searchable – “datamining” – is another important application that can be used with available research data. A lot of research data is too valuable for it to be kept behind closed doors, especially if the research concerned was financed with public funds.

Jointly improving things
The participants in the Research Data Forum are all working to improve access to research data, but they are all doing so from their own perspective or focus. The aim of the forum is to improve access to research data by exchanging knowledge and experience, keeping track of national and international developments, contributing to philosophy and policy, and writing guidelines, for example for libraries. The Research Data Forum has initially been set up for a period of two years.

Activities
The focus of the Forum is mainly on the technical, infrastructural, legal, and organisational aspects of storing research data and making it accessible. Accumulating knowledge, raising awareness, and supporting researchers in managing research data all play an important role.

The Research Data Forum organises meetings at which there is broad discussion of certain aspects of research data. The Forum will also contribute to the philosophy and strategy regarding the various aspects of research data. The Forum collaborates in identifying, initiating, and participating in joint European projects.

Read more on permanent access to research data.

More information
SURFfoundation
Wilma Mossink
T +31 (0)30 234 6600
E mossink(at)surf.nl

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