Flemish Research
Data Network:
November 21 2022
Mutual Learning in a network
of data stewards

Agenda
oFRDN: A network for collaboration on Open and
FAIR research data
⇒Joke Meeus (FRDN coordinator, FWO)
oKnowledge hub: Mutual learning in a community
of data stewards
⇒Tessa Acar (Community manager, FWO)

Introduction:
oEuropean Open Science Cloud (EOSC) =>
Champions research data management to
guarantee scientists’ access to data-
driven science
oFlemish government funding for Flemish
Open Science Board (FOSB) => 36 research
performing organisations collaborate on
Open and FAIR data
oPractical implementation => Flemish
Research Data Network
EOSC
FRDN

FRDN – https://www.frdn.be/about

Sharing and reuse of research data
 working on different domains
Data Hub
Data
infrastructure
throughout the
research data life
cycle
Discovery Hub
Findability of
research data
Knowledge Hub
Mutual learning in
community of data
stewards
Policy Advice
• Defining opportunities and risks in RDM
• Streamlining Open Science policy

Policy Advice
WG RDM & OS (Sara Decoster, KU Leuven =chair)
Past achievements
o Uniform Data Management Plan in DMP online (developed by data
stewards)
oDevelopment of Open Science KPI to monitor progress in the
FRDN
oAction plans to foster KPI levels and quality of their
measurement in the different research performing institutions
Current activities
o Project Group Research Assessment =>state-of-the-art and
recommendations on how to qualitatively evaluate research
output (different from research publications)
oFRDN Network day on March 22 2023: give your input for policy
makers!

Data Hub
WG Architecture (Bart Dooms, VITO =chair)
Past achievements
o Monitor progress in development of /development needs
regarding research data infrastructure
oFacilitate strategic and operational alliances for data
infrastructure
Current activities
oProject Group Matchmaking => Scaling up above mentioned
alliances + bringing in new expertise in the network
oProject Group Research Data Repositories (TO BE) => State-of-
the-art on (trusted and/or discipline specific) research data
repositories => wiki page for data stewards

Discovery Hub
WG Standardisation and WG Architecture
Past achievements
oCollaboration with FRIS onderzoeksportaal (EWI) = portal that
collects research information from Flemish research
institutions => metadata on research publications, research
data, research infrastructure, patents
oMetadata standards for research data
o(Automated) Measurement of FRDN Open Science KPI
Current activities
oProject Group Enriching Metadata (Evy Neyens, Ecoom Hasselt,
Evelien D’Hollander, UGent= chairs): Investigate and develop
proof- of-concepts to improve accessibility and quality of
metadata of research data

The Knowledge Hub
A bottom-up community for RDM
support staff

History of the community
oEnd of 2019: Flanders starts up an Open Science policy
oClear choice on investing in data stewardship and RDM support
for researchers
o Are the direct connection between Open Science and researchers
oSubstantial budget goes towards employment of RDM support
Large new group of people in a ‘new career path’
Want to motivate collaboration between different institutions
To bring those people together:
° Knowledge Hub

What is the Knowledge Hub?
o The knowledge hub is a bottom-up (self-learning) community of data
stewards and RDM support staff where like-minded people can connect and
learn from each other
o Most data stewards are thrown into a new job, with little to no colleagues
o Create a community where they can find likeminded people in an informal way
o  Build a knowledge pool around RDM
o Started with a Kick-off in 2021
(online):
o Get inspired from other communities
o The Netherlands: Community since 2015
o Interest networking internationally

Purpose of the community
oExchange of expertise, practices and tools
oCollaborate on training and education
oReflect on career paths in RDM support
oCurrently:
oTrajectory around Community Canvas
oWhat kind of community do we want to be?

Practices of community
oCreate a platform where like-minded people can
exchange knowledge
oExchange info about events/topics (inter)nationally
oOnline lunch seminars about RDM topics
oLive events with RDM workshops
oNetwork in an informal way

Practices of community
oCreate a platform where like-minded people can
exchange knowledge
oExchange info about events/topics
(inter)nationally
o Online lunch seminars about RDM topics
o Live events with RDM workshops
o Network in an informal way
Scan to get access to
Basecamp!

Practices of community
oCreate a platform where like-minded
people can exchange knowledge
o Exchange info about events/topics (inter)nationally
oOnline lunch seminars about RDM topics
o Live events with RDM workshops
o Network in an informal way
Topics:
- Horizon Europe
- Encryption
- DMP support towards researchers
 Also researchers as speakers and
audience

Practices of community
oCreate a platform where like-
minded people can exchange knowledge
o Exchange info about events/topics (inter)nationally
o Online lunch seminars about RDM topics
o Live events with RDM workshops
o Network in an informal way
o Upcoming: Draw process flows around DMP

Practices of community
oCreate a platform where like-
minded people can exchange
knowledge
o Exchange info about events/topics (inter)nationally
o Online lunch seminars about RDM topics
o Live events with RDM workshops
oNetwork in an informal way

Organization of community
oMostly online:
oPlatform Basecamp
o Sharing events, questions, experiences
oLunch seminars
oOffline:
oNetwork days
Scan to get access to
Basecamp!

Future of the community
oTrajectory around Community Canvas: brainstorm
on what and how we want to continue as a
community
oIdentity: Do we want to be a community of practice
(focus on shared practices) or community of purpose
(serve a bigger goal)?
oOrganisation: Do we want to stay online and low-key
or do we want to go more offline?
oExperience: What activities are you looking for?

Want to think with the community
about its future?
Join us on Basecamp and register for our live community days!
Send email to frdn@fwo.be or scan the QR code below

Thank you for
your
attention!
Q&A