Research Information Network
Research Information Network: e-news August 2008
Welcome the to new Research Information Network (RIN) e-news, a monthly e-mail bringing you all the latest news, reports and events in the research information arena. If you have any comments or would like to include any information in our next issue (due out September 2008), then please e-mail sarah.gentleman@rin.ac.uk
RIN news
Information-handling training for researchers
The RIN has published the results of a new study, Mind the skills gap: Information-handling training for researchers (July 2008), reviewing the extent, quality and impact of training in research information methodologies and tools provided for academic researchers, particularly through university libraries. The study points to the need to achieve greater coordination in training provision across different agencies, and will be of interest to libraries and other information training providers, institutional and faculty research committees within universities, central training units, as well as research funders. For more information visit www.rin.ac.uk/training-research-info. We are running a workshop on 3 September around these issues (see the Events section below).
RIN welcomes new staff
The RIN is expanding and has recently welcomed five new members of staff to its team. The new staff are Branwen Hide, Liaison and Partnerships Officer, Aaron Griffiths, Research Officer, Sarah Gentleman, Communications Officer and a new administrator, Catherine Gray, to find out more about the team, visit www.rin.ac.uk/?q=executive-team
To share or not to share: Publication of research data
The RIN has set out the results of a project, supported by JISC and the Natural Environment Research Council, to investigate the publication and quality assurance of research data. Based on the results from more than 100 detailed interviews with researchers across eight subject and cross-disciplinary areas. The report, To Share or not to Share: Publication and Quality Assurance of Research Data Outputs (June 2008), finds that realising the full potential of data requires further progress in data management policies and practice. To read the summary and full report, visit www.rin.ac.uk/data-publication
RIN in the news: New website section
We now have a new section covering mentions of the Research Information Network in the press and in journal articles. To see what we’ve been saying lately, have a read at RIN in the news at www.rin.ac.uk/RIN-in-news
General research information news
£9.84 million awarded to safeguard UK’s research journals
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has announced funding for a groundbreaking collaboration between higher education libraries led by Imperial College London and the British Library. Following a successful 18-month pilot, this funding will enable the full development of the UK Research Reserve (UKRR), to store low-use journals for the HE community. www.hefce.ac.uk/news/hefce/2008/journals.htm
Landmark new initiative offers museums major savings on key resources
Museums across England can, for the first time, benefit from nationally negotiated agreements for a range of selected and high quality online subscription services as a result of a new initiative funded by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA). www.jisc.ac.uk/news/stories/2008/07/museums.aspx
Research Councils UK launches consultation on good research conduct
Research Councils UK has published a consultation document on the governance of good research conduct. Its aim is to maintain and enhance the high standard of good research conduct and research integrity within UK universities and associated research institutes. www.rcuk.ac.uk/news/080725.htm
£397 million investment for world leading research facilities
Almost £400 million is being made available through the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills (DIUS) Large Facilities Capital Fund to provide support for the development of nine multidisciplinary research projects focusing on a variety of areas, including long-term studies of economic, health and social development. http://nds.coi.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=373716&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False
Is the web narrowing scientists’ expertise?
A recent feature in the Economist, Great minds think (too much) alike, drew attention to the possibility that the increased availability of scientific journals online may be having the opposite effect to that which might be expected. www.ringgold.com/UKSG/si_pd.cfm?AC=4475&Pid=10&Zid=3946&issueno=175
Events
Minding the skills gap: Information-handling training for researchers – A workshop for key training providers. 3 September, Leeds
The focus of this day will be the recent RIN report Mind the skills gap (July 2008) looking at information skills and the provision of training for researchers. RIN invites senior managers, IT staff and librarians in higher education who have a responsibility for strategy, research and training of researchers, as well as training coordinators and those who deliver information skills training to researchers, to discuss approaches to training, capacity and capability in researchers’ training and strategies for taking forward coordinated training provision. Places are free, for more information and to book e-mail g.l.dodsworth@lubs.leeds.ac.uk
Researchers use of freedom of information. 9 September, London
This RIN workshop will raise awareness of freedom of information act as a resource discovery tool for the research community, and help researchers become ‘informed consumers’ under the new access regime. The workshop will look at instances where use of the Freedom of Information Act has been beneficial to researchers. Places are free. www.rin.ac.uk/foi-workshop
Vitae researcher development conference. 8-9 September, London
This conference will address the strategic and practical implications of a changing framework of support for researchers in the UK. Key speakers include Philip Esler, Chief Executive of the Arts and Humanities Research Council and Professor Richard Brook, Director of the Leverhulme Trust. www.researcherconferences.org.uk/2008/
ALPSP international conference 2008. 10-12 September, Windsor
This ALPSP conference is relevant to all those involved in scholarly and professional publishing and includes keynote addresses from Timo Hannay (Nature Publishing Group) and Paul Evans (Elsevier). Sessions include running an environmentally friendly publishing house and looking at the future of the World Wide Web. www.alpsp.org/ngen_public/article.asp?aid=2008
Oxford e-research conference 2008. 11-13 September, Oxford
The conference seeks to stimulate and inform multidisciplinary research on the development, use and implications of information and communication technologies, like the Internet, in shaping research across the disciplines. www.oii.ox.ac.uk/microsites/eresearch08
Podcasts and blogs
To google or not to google? RIN team blog (21 July 2008) www.rin.ac.uk/node/420
Equality for all - a new initiative brings publishers on board (14 July 2008). JISC www.jisc.ac.uk/Home/news/stories/2008/07/podcast46salcooke.aspx
Intellectual property and research benefit. JISC/DIUS blog (17 July 2008)http://hedebate.jiscinvolve.org/intellectual-property-and-research-benefits/
Is academia ready for web 2.0? JISC (7 July 2008) http://digitisation.jiscinvolve.org/2008/07/07/is-academia-ready-for-web-20/
The future of the web with Sir Tim Berners-Lee. NESTA (8 July 2008) www.nesta.org.uk/future-of-web
Resources
Creative Futures: building the creative economy through universities. Million+ with Napier University’s Centre for Creative and Cultural Industries Research (July 2008) www.millionplus.ac.uk/policy.htm
Library Management Systems: Investing wisely in a period of disruptive change – Briefing paper. JISC & SCONUL (April 2008)www.jisc.ac.uk/publications/publications/librarymanagementbp.aspx
New Horizons: Responding to the challenges of the 21st century. Scottish Government (June 2008) www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/82254/0061979.pdf
Managing and sharing e-learning resources: How repositories can help. JISC (April 2008) www.jisc.ac.uk/publications/publications/elearningrepositoriesbpv1.aspx
Research Information Network
The Research Information Network was set up in 2005 to lead and coordinate the provision of research information in the UK. The RIN’s main role is to undertake evidence-based research into information and data issues that relate to professional researchers – and particularly academic researchers – and to develop policy, guidance and advocacy on that basis. For more about us, visit www.rin.ac.uk
Want to get involved?
Our advisory board and consultative groups provide strategic direction and user perspectives to ensure we engage our stakeholders fully in our work. Our collaborative approach means our key stakeholders are represented in all the work we do and that our agenda is driven by them. We are also interested to hear the views and comments of our membership and if you have any ideas or projects you think we might be able to help you work on. If you would like to get involved, e-mail sarah.gentleman@rin.ac.uk or call 020 7412 7241.
Spread the word!
Please pass this e-newsletter onto other organisations or people who might be interested in our information. We also have free postcards available to explain what we do, if you would like to order some copies to distribute, please e-mail sarah.gentleman@rin.ac.uk Sarah GentlemanCommunications Officer
Research Information Network
96 Euston Road
London NW1 9DB
telephone: 020 7412 7241
fax: 020 7412 7339
e-mail: sarah.gentleman@rin.ac.uk
website: www.rin.ac.uk