Research Data Alliance
Access: https://rd-alliance.org/
The Research Data Alliance (RDA) is a community-based organisation whose main goal is to create a space for discussion and development of the infrastructure needed to freely share data and conduct data-driven research. It was established in 2013 as the initiative of the European Commission, the US National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Australian Department of Innovation. The organisation currently has more than 14,000 members from 150 countries. RDA members include individuals, libraries, academic institutions as well as the business sector representatives.
The basic idea behind RDA is the need for the free flow of research data between institutions and researchers around the world. The organisation's mission is implemented through so-called Working Groups, Interest Groups and Communities of Practice. Working Groups run for 12-18 months and are the main source of technical and social infrastructure recommendations. Interest Groups operate without time constraints and are directly or indirectly enabling data sharing, exchange or interoperability. Communities of Practice explore, discuss and provide knowledge and skills within a specific discipline and/or research domain. Furthermore, Research Data Alliance organises webinars, meetings with experts and biannually holds RDA's Plenaries, which for a few days bring the whole community together for a series of meetings, workshops and lectures.
Gdańsk University of Technology is an Organisational Member within RDA and its representative is Magdalena Szuflita-Żurawska, Head of the Scientific and Technical Information Services of the Gdańsk Tech Library, who belongs to three working groups: Education and Training on Handling of Research Data IG (as co-chair), Engaging Researchers with Data IG and Professionalising Data Stewardship IG. Other RDA members on behalf of the Gdańsk Tech Library are also Robert Szczodruch, Head of the Building Digital and Multimedia Collections Services, as well as Piotr Krajewski and Rafał Narwojsz from the Scientific and Technical Information Services.