UP Loves Data – “Data inclusion and equity”

The Department of Library Services (DLS), Scholarly Communications, Research Data Management Unit, successfully hosted the UP Loves Data virtual event on October 24, 2023, from 12:00 to 14:00. The theme for the event was "Data for Inclusion and Equity." The primary objective was to raise awareness about research data management, share best practices, and introduce available RDM tools to researchers.

Dr. Paul Laughton, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Information Science at the University of Pretoria, demonstrated exceptional moderation skills throughout the event.

Mr. Isak van der Walt, Acting Deputy Director of Scholarly Communication, Digital Services, and Systems at the University of Pretoria, inaugurated the event by extending a warm welcome to speakers, the UP community, and participants from outside. He emphasized the event's alignment with International Data and Open Access Week.

The first speaker, Prof. Vukosi Marivate, ABSA UP Chair of Data Science at the University of Pretoria, presented on "DSFSI Loves Local Language Data." He highlighted the significance of metadata, multilanguage data (e.g., IsiNdebele), and the use of AI to translate and curate datasets, such as translating a Setswana corpus to English.

Following this, the University of Pretoria's Prof. Amanda du Preez, Coordinator of Digital Culture and Media, delivered a presentation titled "Images as Data." She underscored the importance of treating images as standalone data and stressed the inseparability of images from accompanying metadata, recommending resources such as "The Digital Humanities Coursebook" by Johanna Drucker. Prof. du Preez also shared her preference for using Tropy software for its robust metadata schema and Omega for uploading images.

The third speaker, Mr. Mark Hahnel, CEO and Founder of Figshare, discussed UP Figshare, emphasizing the view of data as a public good that should be accessible for machine use, including AI applications. He referenced "The State of Open Data 2022 and 2023," highlighting the importance of metrics, data archiving, counts, and citations in grant applications.

The final presenter, Ms. Kerry Miller, Research Data Support Officer at the University of Edinburgh, focused on the benefits of Research Data Management for Researchers. She highlighted the career recognition, fulfillment of funder, journal, and institutional requirements, and risk minimization associated with RDM. Ms. Miller contextualized her presentation within the South African landscape, referring to the NRF Statement on Open Access 2015, UP's RDM Policies, and the importance of making data FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable).

The Q&A session was marked by thought-provoking questions from participants, contributing to an engaging and informative discussion. The event provided a valuable platform for interaction with UP researchers and postgraduate students, addressing crucial issues that enhance UP's research visibility, highlight UP researchers, and contribute to global university rankings. It became evident that new, collaborative, transdisciplinary, and computationally engaged approaches to scholarship are emerging, requiring the research community to adapt, evolve, and ensure compliance with institutional, funder, and publisher requirements.

In conclusion, Mr. Isak van der Walt, Acting Deputy Director of Scholarly Communication, Digital Services, and Systems at the University of Pretoria, wrapped up the event with closing remarks, expressing appreciation for the insightful discussions and reinforcing the importance of adapting to evolving research practices.