Research data policy
The current ESRC research data policy was revised in 2018. Since then, the data landscape has changed substantially. For example:
- a greater focus is placed on the importance of sharing code as well as data
- more emphasis is given to linked data sources including social media and administrative data
- trusted research environments (TREs) are improving access to the most sensitive data
The existing data policy and associated processes to deliver this reflect a time when researchers relied mainly on using established survey data or primary data to undertake their research.
The emergence of new sources of data and methodologies for using and sharing such data require the current policy to be refreshed to ensure it remains fit-for-purpose and that:
- researchers are adequately supported throughout the research data lifecycle in order to manage their data effectively
- data can be shared within ethical and legal considerations, under appropriate licensing to ensure wider access and adhere to FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles
- methods to create data resources are transparent, reproducible and can be used seamlessly by others
All data that are used for social science research are in scope for this programme of work.
Recommendations
Recommendations for updating the policy will need to include the means to implement it, in alignment with the ESRC data infrastructure strategy and other relevant ESRC and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) strategies and policies.
ESRC is part of UKRI and as such any recommendations should link into relevant cross-UKRI and council strategy, policy and infrastructure programmes and activities, bearing in mind the need for:
- harmonisation across UKRI and the research councils
- consistency with UKRI data sharing principles
Project scope
We wish to appoint an individual or team to provide high-quality advice and well-developed recommendations to ESRC to support the development and implementation of an updated data policy.
A vital part of this work will be consulting widely, in a hybrid manner, with stakeholders across sectors and disciplines to accurately reflect the needs of the ESRC community and more broadly, how this sits within the wider data landscape.
The team or individual will be required to:
- Review existing data policies (applied by UKRI research councils and beyond) to assess:
- best practice and identify gaps and opportunities for developing an updated ESRC data policy
- how it would fit within the wider UKRI and UK open research policies and strategies (such as the National Data Strategy)
- Review a selection of data management plans. You should bear in mind the need to balance consistency with the UKRI data sharing principles (and any other key strategies) with appropriately addressing the particular needs of the social science community.
- Consult with a range of stakeholders to discuss and assess the current and future requirements (which may include, but are not limited to metadata provision, training and user support, data management plans, data licencing, etc.). This includes (but is not limited to):
- current ESRC-funded data services
- ESRC and UKRI internal stakeholders (for example, council experts, open research team, infrastructure teams)
- users of the full breadth social science data from a range of career stages (postgraduate to senior researchers)
- data depositors
- data custodians
- data producers
- other data professionals, technologists, others as seen fit
- Consult with services offering access to a wide variety of data types.
- Consult across sectors to take on board best practice and recommendations.
- Establish how complexities and changes in the data landscape inform how ESRC data policies, requirements, training and guidance should be reshaped (and how these should be implemented). This includes (but is not limited to):
- TREs
- research code production and sharing
- the increasing and vast array of data sources (and the associated structured and unstructured nature of them)
- research ready data and the processing and expertise required to ready it
- synthetic data
- an evolving legal and ethical landscape consisting of different types of data and methods of licencing
- diverse methodologies applied to different types of data to ensure the avoidance of bias in data and thus research outcomes
- data principles and standards
- Gather a set of requirements and develop specific, realistic (practically, administratively and financially) recommendations. The recommendations will support the development of an updated data policy and its implementation for ESRC which will be fit for purpose for the next decade.
- Consider recommendations in terms of ease of implementation and maintenance for the social science community in line with cross-UKRI aims.
- Deliver a report to ESRC including a set of well-developed recommendations for an updated data policy and its implementation, supported by evidence and a rationale, not exceeding 20 pages (excluding supporting annexes). ESRC requires an initial draft report at least one month before the project end and will provide comments back to the principal investigator to inform the development of the final report.
- Recommendations could cover a list of additional resources that data services should deliver (for example, specific areas of guidance) to support those utilising ESRC data policies to get the best out of them. The recommendations should be transferable to a wider UKRI policy in future.
Application requirements
You should propose your own methodology for gathering and assessing the relevant evidence needed to provide recommendations for the refresh of the data policy and its implementation.
Your application is required to set out:
- if applying as a team, a description and structure of the team, including roles and responsibilities, and how this will enable the team to deliver the aims of the funding opportunity
- a description of how the team will work collaboratively to co-produce and deliver a programme of activities to support delivery
- if an individual principal investigator is applying, they must explain how they have the necessary skills to undertake the work
- a clear plan with delivery milestones and a Gantt chart in the ‘case for support’ for how the proposed team or individual will deliver the objectives of the funding opportunity
The team or individual should showcase an understanding of the importance of:
- data principles including FAIR
- onward code and data sharing and reuse
- data protection and data licencing regime
- open, safeguarded and secure data access
- data management
The team or individual should also demonstrate an understanding of the relevant training and capacity building support currently available to social scientists at different career stages and the key stakeholders involved. Furthermore, it would be beneficial to demonstrate an awareness of the wider research data practice and policy landscape beyond social science.
This is not a research project but a synthesis or compilation of evidence and advice. Some research activity, such as research synthesis, may be proposed if they contribute to delivering the objectives of the funding opportunity.
You application should include:
- a case for support of up to six sides of A4
- justification of resources of up to two sides of A4
- one-page CVs for all named applicants
Management and governance
The successful applicant, or applicants, will be required to work in partnership with ESRC to deliver a set of recommendations. ESRC will use these recommendations to develop the data policy and reserve the right to decide if and how to act on the recommendations and advice.
ESRC will retain overall responsibility for the development of the updated ESRC data policy. The team will be accountable to an ESRC director and will be expected to provide ESRC with an update on activities on a monthly basis.
The successful applicant, or applicants, will also be expected to:
- liaise with relevant stakeholders across organisations to establish data management best practice which should be implemented in policy
- liaise with other relevant parties related to ESRC such as:
- ESRC Expert Advisory Group
- Future Data Services Strategic Fellows
- Digital Footprints Strategic Advisory Team
- produce a series of recommendations for how the data management plan format should be updated
- it is expected that a complete set of recommendations will be shared within a report before the end of the six-month award. Findings should be shared while the work is ongoing with draft recommendations being shared from early in the project
The principal investigator or a member of the team will be required to have regular meetings with ESRC. You will discuss progress and report back on any common issues that arise through the course of the work that cannot be resolved via the updated data policy. You should also attend other ESRC and UKRI advisory or governance groups as necessary.
The ESRC data policy update will overlap with other existing programmes of work. The team will be expected to liaise with other ESRC teams and fellows including with the Future Data Services Senior Strategic Fellow and Strategic Fellow. This will ensure their experiences are reflected within the scoping.
To avoid a conflict of interest, individuals who are contracted on an existing ESRC-funded data service are ineligible for this funding opportunity. Please see the ‘Additional information’ section for a list of services.
Your application should clearly define:
- the roles of each proposed team member
- their experience and suitability for receiving funding under this funding opportunity
- how they will contribute to deliver the desired outputs
Funding available
The FEC of your project can be up to £250,000. ESRC will fund 80% FEC. It is expected that a portion of the finance will be spent on extensive consultation across sectors and disciplines.
You must allocate a minimum of 0.4 to 0.6 full-time equivalent.
The budget should include costs for travel and subsistence, including costs to cover a minimum of three trips to Swindon, travel restrictions permitting.
We strongly advise you to ensure sufficient administrative support is included to deliver the objectives of the funding opportunity.
Duration
We will award one grant to fund a team or individual for up to six months. Your start date must be no later than September 2023.
