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Data Management Training Development Project

Tampere University
Duration of project1.1.2024–31.12.2026
Area of focusSociety

The aim of the project is to design and implement a training programme aimed at the professional qualification of research data management (RDM) experts.

The primary objective of this initiative is twofold:

  1. to develop comprehensive training modules catering to the specific requirements of RDM professionals. 

  2. to ensure a steady supply of skilled data management experts across various sectors including research organisations, public administration, and companies. 

So far, Finland has completely lacked formal education path aimed at the professional qualification of experts in data management field.

Background

RDM expert's tasks are versatile and require extensive special expertise. With digitalization, the role of data management has become even more pronounced, which has increased the demand for data management expertise.

Success in data management requires strong expertise in: 

  • data management planning 
  • data protection 
  • information security 
  • data documentation 
  • data sharing 
  • data publishing.

Goal

The training covers themes related to the duties of a data management expert, such as  

  • commenting on data management plans 
  • coordinating the storage of research data 
  • ensuring data protection and data security 
  • organising data management trainings 
  • promoting open science. 

The training provides the participants with the skills to develop the background organisation's internal data management services, training and guidelines and to engage in national and international cooperation.

The scope of the training will be 15 ECTS (The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) and it can be completed alongside work. The training will be structured modular online course.

At the end of the training, the participant completes an exercise or a development task according to his/her own interests. 

Co-operators

Tampere University’s Continuous Learning Services is responsible for the project in cooperation with the Library. However, the planning of the contents of the training requires extensive national, international, and cross-border cooperation. 

An advisory board has been established for the planning and development of education.

The members of the advisory board are

  • Mari Elisa Kuusniemi, Information Specialist, University of Helsinki
  • Jukka Rantasaari, Head of Library Services, University of Turku
  • Lucie Hradecká, Information Specialist, Aalto University
  • Manna Satama, Information Specialist, University of Eastern Finland
  • Tuomas Alaterä, Head of Services, Finnish Social Science Data Archive
  • Päivi Rauste, Senior Project Coordinator, CSC – IT Center for Science
  • Joona Koiranen, Specialist, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
  • Susanna Nykyri, Chief Specialist, Tampere University
  • Maria Söderholm, Project Manager, Finnish Environment Institute

There will be close cooperation with e.g.  

International cooperation is carried out with the coordinators of the Data Steward Certificate course organized by the University of Vienna.

The project has received three-year funding from the Ministry of Education and Culture.