Within the NERC Environmental Data Service (EDS), thematic activity working groups operate behind the scenes to develop the EDS, in line with our roadmap. The NERC EDS Training Group is one of these working groups, and recently successfully delivered a two-hour Research Data Management (RDM) webinar, bringing together expertise from across the NERC data centres to support environmental science researchers in developing data management skills.

The webinar attracted an international audience of 51 live attendees from a range of environmental science disciplines and beyond, demonstrating a need for practical guidance on managing, sharing, and preserving research data. Some of the organisations that attended include the Medical Research Council (MRC), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Agri-Food and Bioscience Institute (AFBI), and University of British Columbia in Canada.  The session was organised and delivered by Alison Pamment, Petra ten Hoopen, Charlotte Miskin-Hymas, Roseanna Wright, Jasmine Hunter and Rachel Talbot, whose combined multidisciplinary backgrounds and decades of experience created a truly comprehensive training resource. The course content was developed collaboratively by drawing together existing training resources from across the NERC Environmental Data Service and refining them into a single tailor-made webinar, covering all aspects of the data management lifecycle.

To move beyond the theory and encourage participants to think about how good data management can be applied in their own research, the session included several interactive activities that allowed attendees to put their learning into practice. These included a ‘Dodgy Data’ exercise highlighting common data management issues, and a Data Value Checklist activity that encouraged discussion around what makes data understandable, reusable and valuable over the long term.

Polls were launched after the presentations to capture feedback. Attendees reported that some of the most useful aspects included learning about trusted data repositories, gaining an introduction to the Data Stewardship Wizard, understanding the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance, and finding out where to access further support and resources for managing research data effectively.

This webinar is part of the wider NERC EDS mission of improving data stewardship and promoting FAIR and responsible data practices across the environmental science community. By increasing awareness of available tools, services, and best practices, training such as this helps researchers maximise the impact, visibility, and reuse potential of their data.

The materials used in the webinar are available to download from the training pages of the EDS website. Following the positive response to this event, the NERC EDS Training Group intends to deliver regular research data management training in the future. Sign up to the NERC EDS mailing list to receive updates on future events and resources.