Despite remarkable progress, the development of policies and EU level investments around open science continues to be a pressing need. For the University of Helsinki, five key areas for development are: 1. Storage, preservation, and utilization of data. The need for storage for a rapidly growing number of datasets is crucial, as is building the capacity for long-term storage and digital preservation of data for further use. The prerequisite for the reusability of research data is that responsible research data management becomes a standard practice, and relevant services are available for researchers. 2. Emphasis on research data management training for researchers, students, and support services. For example, GDPR principles should be seamlessly intergrated into everyday research practices. 3. Development of the recognition of research data related work as merit for researchers, in line with responsible researcher evaluation (e.g. CoARA) as well as an incentive for opening data. 4. FAIR data that are long-term and interoperable; this requires global cooperation for technical capacitation and infrastructure development. University of Helsinki has started process to join an Observer Member in the EOSC in 2024, which will foster this process. 5. Novel technologies for data mining, digital transition and use of AI; this should be developed to enable a more efficient use of all available data sources. Achieving progress towards common policies for data sharing is paramount. For example, the acceleration of drug research and drug security in Europe is fundamental to ensure our competitiveness with the US and China, but the needed investments in biomedical research and fundamental biological research need to be supported by appropriate EU legislation. The University of Helsinki is concerned with the effects of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) regulation on research. If coming into force as it is drafted, it will limit the possibilities of the use and reuse of the health data across Europe, and might make the universities data holders, i.e. obligated to provide their research data for further use. This will cause a significant increase in universities’ obligations and requires a lot of investments and resources that universities do not currently have.
Helsingin yliopiston kommentti
Laura Valkeasuo
31. januari 2024 klockan 15.58.48
Despite remarkable progress, the development of policies and EU level investments around open science continues to be a pressing need. For the University of Helsinki, five key areas for development are:
1. Storage, preservation, and utilization of data. The need for storage for a rapidly growing number of datasets is crucial, as is building the capacity for long-term storage and digital preservation of data for further use. The prerequisite for the reusability of research data is that responsible research data management becomes a standard practice, and relevant services are available for researchers.
2. Emphasis on research data management training for researchers, students, and support services. For example, GDPR principles should be seamlessly intergrated into everyday research practices.
3. Development of the recognition of research data related work as merit for researchers, in line with responsible researcher evaluation (e.g. CoARA) as well as an incentive for opening data.
4. FAIR data that are long-term and interoperable; this requires global cooperation for technical capacitation and infrastructure development. University of Helsinki has started process to join an Observer Member in the EOSC in 2024, which will foster this process.
5. Novel technologies for data mining, digital transition and use of AI; this should be developed to enable a more efficient use of all available data sources.
Achieving progress towards common policies for data sharing is paramount. For example, the acceleration of drug research and drug security in Europe is fundamental to ensure our competitiveness with the US and China, but the needed investments in biomedical research and fundamental biological research need to be supported by appropriate EU legislation. The University of Helsinki is concerned with the effects of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) regulation on research. If coming into force as it is drafted, it will limit the possibilities of the use and reuse of the health data across Europe, and might make the universities data holders, i.e. obligated to provide their research data for further use. This will cause a significant increase in universities’ obligations and requires a lot of investments and resources that universities do not currently have.