Research Data Management

A large part of ensuring that data are openly available and accessible is correctly managing that data before, during, and after its production. The Department encourages good data management as part of a wider University of Cambridge Research Data Management Policy Framework. Researchers should ensure their data are adequately stored and backed-up, with good supporting metadata and version control, adhering to the FAIR Principles. Data management plans are now a common part of grant applications, and there is plenty of help available for writing these, such as DMPOnline. Researchers are encouraged to share their data openly where possible, while also protecting any sensitive or confidential data as required. To support this, data can be uploaded to the University’s institutional repository.

The Department also supports the University’s Data Champions programme, run by the Office of Scholarly Communication. Data Champions are local advocates for good data management and FAIR research principles, and can be contacted about any research data issue. The current Genetics Data Champions are: