Arts Research Data at GSA:
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
VADS4R National Workshop, 16th June 2014
Dr Robin Burgess ([email protected])
“What is arts research data? What does it mean to you? Research, art, design, architecture, I’m going
to tell you. What is arts research data? We tried to find out. We asked various researchers, and this is
what we found…”
Objectives
• Comment on RDM related projects
• The GOOD: The current status of
RDM at GSA, such as our policy
• The BAD: Lessons we have learnt
and advice we can give
• The UGLY: What we hope to do next
and support needed
KAPTUR
• To investigate the nature of research data in the visual arts
• To consider the application of technology to support
collection, discoverability, usage, and preservation of
research data in the arts
• To review appropriate policies, procedures and systems
• To develop case studies and showcase good practice to a
wider audience
VADS4R
• Visual Arts Data Skills 4 Researchers
• Aim to provide a research data
management (RDM) training programme
tailored to the needs of early careers
researchers and postgraduate students
in the visual arts.
• Led by the Centre for Digital Scholarship
(formerly known as VADS)
RADAR
• In 2011 GSA embarked on the development of a research
repository using EPrints technology, funded by JISC
• The interface was supported through web technologies
provided by ScreenMedia
• The funding allowed GSA to produce a whole new
repository, replacing the previous Filemaker system
• EPrints chosen as the preferred software
• Links made with the Kultivate Project
• 2013 saw improved uptake and deposits in RADAR
The GOOD!
RADAR
http://radar.gsa.ac.uk/
Continued Development
• Determining the new
requirements for RADAR
• What are our priorities?
• We are at a cross-roads
• New modules or new
instances of RADAR
• What does the future
hold for repositories and
RDM?
A Roadmap
• Gives direction for
development of RADAR
• Highlighting the points to
be tackled: E.G. Policies,
workflows, Interface,
Access, Data Management
• Shared with the institute for
approval
Submission/Deposit Process
Metadata
• Development of a
metadata policy and
guidelines to
accompany information
present in RADAR
• Mandatory metadata
fields stipulated
• Cleaning up the data
records
Access Options
• Application of better
standards
• Administrator, editor
and user rights
• Access to content
• Application of
embargoes
• Funder and
publisher guidelines
Documentation
Communication
• Awareness of RADAR
• EPrints User Group
• Internal and External
communication
• Staff Profiles
• MEPrints(?)
• Showcase for work at
GSA
Reporting
• Monthly reporting
• Data extracted
from RADAR
• Admin functions
• IRStats2 package
• Record of staff and
output details
• Internal distribution
Research Data Management
• Requirements stipulated by
HEFCE and Funders
• Development of polices and
roadmaps
• Application of repository
technologies to manage data
• Visual arts data is complex
• Data is difference to the output
• Training packages
Thesis Submission
•
•
•
•
•
New area for GSA
Separate browse function
Searches possible
Improved thesis metadata
Thesis submission
process created for
students
• Digitisation of theses
• Important research
The BAD
RDM in the Visual Arts
What is Research Data? Providing a single, authoritative definition of research
data in the visual arts is challenging. Research data could be described as: "data
which arises out of, and evidences, research...examples of visual arts research data
may include sketchbooks, log books, sets of images, video recordings, trials,
prototypes, ceramic glaze recipes, found objects, and correspondence. Research data
may also be defined as: "evidence which is used or created to generate new
knowledge and interpretations. 'Evidence' may be intersubjective or subjective;
physical or emotional; persistent or ephemeral; personal or public; explicit or tacit;
and is consciously or unconsciously referenced by the researcher at some point
during the course of their research. As part of the research process, research data
may be collated in a structured way to create a dataset to substantiate a particular
interpretation, analysis or argument. A dataset may or may not lead to a research
output, which regardless of method of presentation, is a planned public statement of
new knowledge or interpretation. Research data can be seen as your “stuff”!
Principles and Expectations
•
•
•
•
•
(1) Research organisations will
promote internal awareness…
(2) Published research papers
should include a short
statement about access to
supporting data
(3) Specific Policies developed
(5) Metadata will be structured
appropriately
(8) Effective data curation is
provided throughout the full data
lifecycle
•
•
•
•
•
EPSRC-funded research data is
a public good produced in the
public interest and should be
made feely and openly available
Polices should ensure
constraints are considered
Institutional and project specific
policies
Sharing research data is
important
Sufficient metadata should be
recorded and made openly
available
Lessons Learnt
• Share plans with
Research, IT, Library,
executive…
• Prioritize work load
• Develop tracking and
recording procedures
• Work closely with
researchers
• Engage with developers
The UGLY
Open Access
• Finch Report
• HEFCE Policy on Open
Access for REF 2020
• Funder and publisher
guidance for outputs
• Copyright and standards
• A lot for GSA to think
about!
Continued Support
Next Steps
• Continued development
of the online training
• Further guidance on
RDM
• Greater engagement
with the institution and
community
• Further funding
The Future…
• Identifying further needs
from researchers
• Additional Interviews
• Development of RDM
systems and processes
• REF2020 requirements
• RDM in the Visual Arts –
a book
The Research Community
THANKYOU
[email protected]
http://radar.gsa.ac.uk
www.gsa.ac.uk
http://lib.gsa.ac.uk/
http://www.vads.ac.uk/kaptur/
http://www.vads4r.vads.ac.uk/p/welcome.html
Images: Screenshots taken from RADAR
Photography courtesy of the BBC website and Mark Sutherland
Original Digital Art and Paintings Produced by Gii Bear and
Robin Burgess of Burgess & Bear
(www.facebook.com/burgessbear)