How long have you worked at Lund University, and how did you become the faculty’s data steward?
I have been working as a librarian at the LUSEM Library at Lund University since 2022. Becoming the faculty’s data steward was likely a matter of timing and duties, as is often the case. I was asked because I work in the library’s research support team, where support for research data management is one of the areas we provide assistance in. I saw this as an opportunity to broaden my knowledge and gain new experiences, so I said yes. It’s exciting to be part of something new that is growing in response to a significant need.
What are the biggest challenges for researchers at your faculty regarding research data management, and how can you support them in this?
The biggest challenges right now might be finding the correct information about what applies in various aspects of data handling. These can be complex issues with a wide scope, requiring individual researchers to delve deeply into topics such as data management plans, storage, processing data in secure environments, making data accessible, and archiving it after projects conclude.
For a long time at our faculty, and at Lund University more broadly, it has been challenging for researchers and PhD students to easily access the support and services available. With the creation of a Research data unit, where all data stewards are involved, we can guide and support faculty researchers in these matters, making working with research data easier and more efficient.
Why is it so important to handle research data properly? Why should researchers care about this?
There are laws and guidelines that researchers must follow. It’s essential to adhere to good research practices, which is a responsibility both for individual researchers and the university. The research data collected as part of a researcher’s duties belongs to the university, as a government authority, not the individual researcher.
It is also crucial from a security perspective to ensure that collected data does not end up in the wrong hands or is mismanaged. Trust is another key factor—researchers build trust with society and study participants, who need to feel confident that the information they share will be handled securely and correctly.
Many research funders also have requirements for data management, such as accessibility and data management plans. I believe most researchers want to do the right thing, but it’s sometimes hard to know what applies to different aspects of research data management. This is something the research data unit is working to improve, and it’s where data stewards come in. We are there, close to the faculties, to support with questions that may arise. A good way to get an overview of all aspects of data collection is to establish a data management plan at the start of a research project. This can help researchers organize all the pieces and consider what needs to be addressed.
Do you have a motto or life philosophy that you live by?
Perhaps, “Always look on the bright side of life”.
If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be, and what would you like to discuss?
That’s a very difficult question—perhaps Paul Auster. He has written many excellent books and seemed like a sympathetic person. We could discuss the state of the world, the influence of the United States on global democracy, his books, and life in general.
Article on LU Staff Pages on the data stewards from each faculty