Empowering researchers through data stewardship and digital training to adapt to new data services

In an increasingly digital research landscape, the importance of open and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data practices are becoming more apparent. Technology advances open up new ways of discovering and re-using large volumes of data, however they can also require a higher entry-point for users, who must have the digital literacy to be able to interact with these emerging technologies and interfaces. As such, education remains a key tool for providing researchers with the skills and knowledge to understand how to adapt these technologies to their own scientific discipline, and ensure their own datasets are compatible for use by both humans and machines. Here, we explore the uses of training and data stewardship for improving researcher digital skills, from developing practical day-to-day approaches in research data management, through to increasing awareness and understanding of how to interact with complex digital systems effectively. While some research groups often have a range of digital skills, these are often either self-taught or learnt only for a specific purpose, limiting how data can be reused. By engaging with researchers across different disciplines and backgrounds, we can lower that entry point for interacting with NERC data services, allowing more efficient and increased opportunities data re-use. This engagement includes both one-on-one data stewardship throughout a project to use a specific service, as well as wider training for key staff within a research organisation to develop and promote best practices which can be disseminated throughout their teams and incorporated into future research. By engaging with researchers early on in the project lifecycle, we can bridge the gap between what users require from NERC data services, what services and guidance we provide, and showcase the benefits and opportunities of open and FAIR data. This ensures that researchers have the capabilities to interact with new digital research infrastructures efficiently, which not only reduces barriers to accessing environmental data, but also increases it’s potential for re-use in new innovative ways.