The Benefits and Challenges of Working with PGRs

Hannah Lloyd-Jones

Open Exeter

University of Exeter

Outline

• Open Exeter: Summary of Activities• PGRs and Open Exeter• Benefits• Challenges• Lessons Learnt

Open Exeter: Summary of Activities

• DAF Survey• Policy• Engagement• Training• ORE Repository

PGRs and Open Exeter• Over 70 applications for 4 posts• 7 PGRs from different disciplines• Paid for their time• Incentives: iPad!

“My iPad rapidly became an essential tool for managing data particularly when working remotely.”

Who?• Stuart, 3rd year, Water Distribution

Management: Data organisation• Annie, 3rd year, Business: Sensitive data• Philip, 1st year, Law: Open data• Ruth, 1st year, Film Studies: Data storage• Duncan: Archaeology: 3rd year: Data reuse• Lee: Sports Science: 1st year:

Research group guidelines

PGR Involvement (1 year)• Focus group

• DAF survey• Metadata• Policy• Training• DMP

• Weekly data audit and 1:1 meeting• Collaborative work e.g. Survival Guide• Group workshops• Case Studies

• Electronic Lab Notebooks• Future Memory in Place• Copyright issues

• Engagement e.g. Marketing materials, videos, manning stalls during OA week and PGR Inductions

Engagement Materials

Videos

Benefits for OE1. Understand the needs and requirements of active

researchers:– More practical than working with established researchers

(time, workload, cost)– Face similar issues as established researchers

2. Feedback on training for PGRs

3. PGR community are future researchers; catch them young!

4. Encourage peer-to-peer learning, peer-to-supervisor learning

5. Build contacts in specific disciplines

6. Great ideas!

Benefits for PGRs 11. Greater understanding of RDM issues and solutions e.g. DCC

training

The project “provided me with practical tools, useful advice and an excellent introduction to issues surrounding open access research and data management.”

The 1:1 meetings were “almost like having a mentor.”

2. Specialised help from University experts e.g. Records Manager

“As a foreign student, I had never heard of the Data Protection Act until the Open Exeter project leaders invited Caroline Dominey to present the DPA and Freedom of Access policy in a workshop.”

3. Contribution to policy development

Benefits for PGRs 24. Opportunity to learn from each other

“I found it was great to interact with a team of people committed to data management reflection.” 

5. Skills development e.g. helped lead Discuss, Debate, Disseminate workshop

“Participation in the project has contributed to my personal development as a researcher.”

The project “gave me an opportunity to hone my communication, organisational and pedagogic skills.”

Challenges

1. How representative were the PGRs?– Self-selecting group– Not all disciplines

2. Availability and time constraints– e.g. Field work, 3rd years moving on

3. Investment of time/effort– Dedicated to coordinating meetings etc.

Lessons Learnt

• Plan PGR involvement• Review activities regularly • Make the most of opportunities which arise• Audit• More group workshops• Develop more authentic, researcher-led

resources• Build relationships

Any Questions?

Blog: http://blogs.exeter.ac.uk/openexeterrdm/

Open Exeter webpage: http://ex.ac.uk/bQ

Twitter: @OpenExeterRDM