Over a year of FAIR Data at the UW/H
How research data management (RDM) at Witten/Herdecke University is moving from concept to practice.
What this article is about:
- about the development of research data management (RDM) at Witten/Herdecke University,
- that research data management does not only include health data, and
- a centralised information base to complement existing networks.
Structure of the FDM at the UW/H
When the UW/H began to systematically establish research data management (RDM) in the sense of FAIR Data (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) in November 2024, many things were still open: How do researchers actually work with their research data? What structures are missing locally, and how can transparency be created without unnecessarily burdening day-to-day research?
More than a year later, it is clear that RDM has arrived at the university - visible, networked and strategically anchored.
It quickly became clear that there is a great deal of interest in guidance and support for research data management among both researchers and students. This is precisely where the newly created contact and service point came in - with discussions, needs analyses and initial offers that now form the core of the RDM service.
Around 8-10 further training courses per year, presentations in various departments and around ten counselling sessions per month show that the need for RDM is great and continues to grow.
An important impetus initially came from the BMBF project DIM.RUHR, which strengthens data competences in health research. Technical solutions were discussed together with the employees - from a research data repository to questions about how research results can be made FAIRly visible, for example through a long-term, permanent reference such as a Digital Object Identifier (DOI).
FDM not only for health data
Health data is sensitive and complex, but the need for good data management extends far beyond the Faculty of Health. This was demonstrated at events such as the university-wide Research Day 2025, where RDM posters and an information stand with lots of useful materials from the NFDI consortia stimulated numerous conversations.
Since summer 2025, the UW/H has also been a member of the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI). This makes the university part of a nationwide network that sets standards for all research disciplines and drives developments forward.
Central information base alongside networks
A new FDM internet and intranet presence offers a glossary, FAQs, training materials and information on tools and processes. It is increasingly becoming the first point of contact for internal questions - also in dialogue with the FDM representative. The press and public relations team has provided significant support here.
With the development of an RDM roadmap, participation in Digitale Hochschule NRW (DH.NRW) and the state initiative for research data management fdm.nrw as well as the management of the university's internal RDM working group, initial structures have been created to secure RDM at the UW/H in the long term.
Workshops, poster contributions, summer schools and participation in two Research Days per year have made RDM visible in many places. With a Local Data Hub (LDH), a workflow was created in cooperation with the Centre for Clinical Studies and NFDI4Health, which is being further optimised.
Coordination with data protection, BIT and the university library has also taken place - for example on software such as Sciebo, the publication of PhD theses, storage solutions, the REDCap tool and a possible RDM repository in cooperation.
The foundations for RDM have been laid - as at other universities and research institutions in Germany. The coming years will show how these structures will continue to develop and sustainably strengthen research at the UW/H in terms of good scientific practice.
Contact research data management
Annette Strauch-Davey, M. A.
Scientific representatives with teaching duties
Faculty of Health | Faculty Office
Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50
58455 Witten