Kick-off trainings held for data management and open science competence network

On April 23 and May 14, the university library hosted the launch events for the new network of data management and open science advisors. Nearly 60 participants took part in the training sessions, where they were introduced to the principles of open science, open access publishing opportunities, and the basics of research data management.

The network was initiated by the library, and according to Liisi Lembinen, Director of Development at the library and the leader of the initiative, the goal is to find specialists in each field whom researchers can turn to with questions about data management and open science. “We will organize regular events and training sessions for the network members, and the topics will be based on the needs of researchers,” Lembinen said. At the next meeting, scheduled for 4 June, participants will be introduced to the research data repository DataDOI.

In addition to Liisi Lembinen, the first two training sessions were led by data librarian Tiiu Tarkpea, project manager Elena Sipria-Mironov, and Heleri Inno and Diana Pilvar from ELIXIR Estonia.

Through the training program, network members will acquire the necessary skills to support researchers in managing and sharing research data. They also have the opportunity to participate in additional training sessions as part of the Skills4EOSC project. Lembinen expressed hope that by autumn, it will be possible to share contact information for consultants in different fields so that researchers know whom to approach with questions about data management.

The creation and training of the data management and open science competence network is supported by the University of Tartu Development Fund.