IFLA ARL Webinar Series | Held online on October 11, 2023 Open science is a new concept that has introduced new ways on how scholarly output has been created, managed, stored, and distributed to the global society. Research and academic institutions have implemented open science initiatives that aim at enhancing academic excellence and addressing societal challenges through knowledge creation and dissemination. Academic and research libraries are being influenced by the open science movement to reposition and reengineer their functions and roles. They are developing open science initiatives that aim at transforming research, teaching, and learning as well as leveraging on digital technologies that enhance transparency and easy accessibility of data, information and knowledge that is shared, redistributed, and reproduced. The presenters discussed academic and research libraries’ engagement in the open science movement and shared insights on how their individual libraries have developed and implemented open science policies and effective strategies on embracing open science agenda. Presentation 2 of this webinar by: Ms Tereza Kalová, Data Stewardship Coordinator-University of Vienna, Austria; and Dr. Emily Kate, Data Stewards, University of Vienna, Austria. Access the webinar recording: https://youtu.be/uN_4NVzvn_w?si=ce0yxpZOQmspR2gN

1. Data Stewardship at the University of Vienna:
Building Capacity for Open Science
Tereza Kalová1 and Emily J. Kate2
University of Vienna
1 Data Stewardship Coordinator, Vienna University Library
2 Data Steward, Faculty of Life Sciences
CC-BY 4.0 International Proposed citation on final slide.

2. “On Wednesday, February 23, 2022, the Open Science
Policy Austria was adopted. With […] this Open Science
Policy Austria, Austria is committed to the Open
Science movement and the European Open Science
Cloud (EOSC).”
A complementary Open Science Strategy is in progress.
Open Science Policy Austria
Open Science in Austria

3. Research Data Management at the University of Vienna
University-wide Research Data Management Working Group for strategic development
Coordinated by the University Library
Vice-rector for Digitization and Knowledge Transfer
Research Data Management (RDM) services are the joint effort of the:
Library
Computer Center
(Selected) Faculties and Research Centers – Data Stewards
Department of Innovation and Digitalisation in Law – Legal Helpdesk
Research Support and Career Development
Center for Teaching and Learning
Quality Assurance
Until 2022
mostly generic
RDM services
Data
stewardship
program

4. Data Stewardship at the University of Vienna
Data Steward Network
Data stewards are members of the Research
Data Management Team
One Data Stewardship Coordinator
Based at the University Library
Four Embedded Data Stewards
Provide domain-specific support at select
faculties and research centers
“Data Steward” Certificate Course
Data stewards completed in the first year on the job
Next sessions starting October 2023
International attendance
Data Stewardship
Coordinator
Faculty of
Philological and
Cultural Studies
Faculty of Life
Sciences
Center for
Microbiology and
Environmental
Systems Science
Faculty of Historical
and Cultural
Studies

5. What Does a Data Steward Do?
A data steward is a first point of
contact for any issues related to
research data management.
Data stewards do not handle data
for researchers, but we are always
available to answer questions,
provide advice, and locate
resources.
Conduct personalized consultation
Navigate a vast infrastructure on
behalf of researchers
Provide education and raise
awareness
Evaluate needs and collect requests

6. Building Capacity for Open Science
We cannot foster Open Science without Research Data Management.
Educate
on the how and why
of RDM and Open
Science.
Ask
if researchers are
willing to put good
practices in place.
Listen
to researcher hopes,
concerns, and
frustrations.
Building self-sustaining practices that are
grounded in community knowledge and a
culture of openness and support

7. Where to Start?
Leverage Existing Expertise
Create a formal internal network.
Set-up systems for rapid communication.
Assess Community Needs
Use existing data.
Conduct your own investigations.
Ask people to complain!
Train Staff and Build Networks
Consider Erasmus exchange programs.
Join collaborative networks - Research Data Alliance.
Build Relationships
Find your allies.
Be visible and present.
Ensure Possibilities Outpace Policies
Make good habits possible and easy before they are required.

8. Thank you!
Tereza Kalová
Vienna University Library, University of Vienna
Email: tereza.kalova@univie.ac.at
Emily J. Kate
Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna
Email: emily.jean.kate@univie.ac.at
?
!
Cite as: Kalová, Tereza and Emily J. Kate. 2023. Data Stewardship at the University of Vienna: Building Capacity for Open Science. Presentation presented
at the IFLA ARL Webinar: Open Science Policies and Practices. CC-BY 4.0 International. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8413683
For more information about the University of Vienna
Data Stewards and Research Data Management Team,
go to rdm@univie.ac.at or follow the QR code.