Symposium ‘UMCG ResearchIT tools: which, how?’

On 15 February 2017 the UMCG hosted the symposium ‘UMCG ResearchIT tools: which, how?’. About 150 people attended the event that was open to anyone interested in health research data: from data capture to data processing, data publishing, data collaboration, data storage, data access and archiving. The symposium not only focused on technical issues and IT-tools, but also on policy, ambitions and awareness.

Awareness: FAIR data management

The UMCG expects its researchers to adhere FAIR data management. This means that research data need to be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR). FAIR data management is required because of external as well as internal motives. Granting bodies, for example, ask to upload a Data Management Plan in which you explain how you make your data FAIR. A strong internal motive is that FAIR data management leads to quality improvement, increased visibility and better science.

Ambition: develop the best data infrastructure

The UMCG aims to develop the best data infrastructure. According to Professor Marian Joëls, the UMCG and UG are in a good position to make a difference, because they have experience with big data sets, bio banking, cohorts (LifeLines), and they benefit from (societal) networks and partnerships with a focus on computing. The time is ready to unite forces and develop a Health Data Center in the Northern Netherlands.

Tools and policy: UMCG research-IT program

The required IT structures and expertise is too complex and too expensive for individual researchers. Therefore, the UMCG will offer tools for each step in the data life cycle, hardware as well as support. Tools are currently available for all steps, but a lot of the information is scattered. Collaboration between all research-IT providers need to result in a one-stop shop for all programs.
In return, the UMCG is going to ask researchers to pay for part of the costs of research-IT. For example, if your samples need to be stored in a freezer, you will be asked to pay for this facility.

Open access tooling

Since early 2017 all researchers have been required to deposit their final author’s version of a peer-reviewed article (green route). The University of Groningen Library and the Central Medical Library will check for every manuscript if direct publication is allowed by the publisher or if there is an embargo.

UMCG researchers that are going to publish open access can check the library website . If the journal of interest is part of a big deal with an open access-component, researchers can publish open access without having to pay; the University has already covered for the costs.


More information

• Symposium on UMCG ResearchIT tools - Program
• Research Data Office
• Go Green. Deposit your Article
• Open Access – agreements per publisher (UMCG)
• Research Toolbox UMCG (intranet, UMCG-pc only)