Clemson University is one of 15 institutions from across the country selected for the first cohort of a project by Ithaka S+R to review data support services and build tools to help researchers, librarians and others with data management and sharing.
With the combination of new federal policies for data management and data sharing, along with the growth of data-intensive research activities, universities are investing in providing support services to help researchers manage data across the research lifecycle. This national two-year initiative will involve more than 30 universities to create national benchmarking data on current data support services, build tools to help users navigate existing services, and develop strategies for ensuring the future viability of data support services. The findings of the study aim to complement current plans for a robust campus data infrastructure that will support the Clemson Elevate strategic plan priority to double research by 2035.
At Clemson, this is a collaborative initiative between the Division of Research, Clemson Computing & Information Technology, and Clemson Libraries. The study began with conducting an inventory of current data support services and identifying campus users of these services. This semester, the team is interviewing a multidisciplinary group of successfully funded early career and senior researchers doing data-intensive work representing more than 10 departments including Automotive Engineering, Bioengineering, Education & Human Development, Genetics and Biochemistry, Plant and Environmental Sciences, and Public Health. In 2024, Ithaka S+R will facilitate discussions and communication of results with users, senior administrators, and other campus stakeholders to identify strategic priorities.
In addition to Clemson, other institutions participating in the first cohort of the project include Brandeis University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Chicago, Dartmouth College, Florida State University, Harvard University, Indiana University, Montclair State University, Ohio State University, University of Pittsburgh, San Diego State University, Towson University, University of Virginia and Yale University.