Economic and Social Sciences goINg FAIR Implementation Network (EcoSoc)
Active GO FAIR Implementation Network
The German Data Forum (RatSWD) and all participating research data centres (RDCs) are committed to the continuous improvement of the research data infrastructure and the implementation of the FAIR principles. Since the German Data Forum’s (RatSWD) foundation, its guiding principles and accreditation criteria for RDCs have promoted the findability, accessibility, and reusability of high-quality data. The coordination, monitoring, and strong cooperation between RDCs safeguard the continuous improvement of the research data infrastructure, for example, by enhancing the accessibility and interdisciplinarity of RDC services. The systematic implementation of persistent identifiers in most RDCs was a milestone for increasing data findability.
Main purpose and objectives
A key component of the RDCs’ mission is to comply with the legal requirements of privacy protection. They do so using the Five Safes framework, which aims to preserve the analytical potential of the data for researchers in the best possible way. By working closely together, the RDCs have developed a range of data access paths depending on the required degree of data anonymization.
The EcoSoc-IN intends to share its expertise on all aspects of accessing sensitive data from the social sciences, economics, and behavioural sciences. Moreover, we aim to develop solutions to enhance the interoperability of available datasets.
Main tasks
1. Fostering implementation of FAIR principles in social science and economics data centres taking into account the special requirements of sensitive data.
2. Securing and expanding access for social, behavioural, and economic researchers to high-quality research data, for example, by supporting and advising new data centres.
3. Continuously developing data access paths and services by exchanging knowledge about best practice models (e.g., automated output control to guarantee data protection) and by working together in thematic working groups.
4. Monitoring of the research data infrastructure to assess its impact and to regularly evaluate compliance with accreditation criteria.
5. Fostering reciprocal networks of access to sensitive data and to provide multiple access points for research data on a European and an international level.
6. Exchanging knowledge between academic disciplines and initiatives through regular meetings, workshops, and publications, and fostering access to highly sensitive data by promoting RDCs as a best practice model. Access paths include, for example, secure remote access, guest researcher workstations, and scientific use files.
7. Engaging with other GO FAIR implementation networks to exchange best practice solutions and increase interoperability.
8. Continuously developing cross-disciplinary and international links of the network.
Manifesto
Updated manifesto, 16 April 2021 (change of IN representatives)
Original manifesto, 13 November 2018
Press release & publication
December 14, 2020: White Paper on implementing the FAIR principles for data in the Social, Behavioural, and Economic Sciences (link to GO FAIR news item)
November 28, 2018: EcoSoc-IN – The German Data Forum sets up a GO FAIR implementation network (link to the website of RatSWD)
Events
17 February 2022: EcoSoc Follow-up Workshop: Remote Access
EcoSoc-IN representatives
The network is represented by the chairs of the German Data Forum (RatSWD)
- Prof Dr Monika Jungbauer-Gans
- Prof Dr Kerstin Schneider
and the chairs of the RDC Committee
- Dr Daniel Fuß
- Tatjana Mika
The Network is coordinated via KonsortSWD by
- Daniel Buck
- Monika Linne
- Ute Hoffstätter
Contact
ecosoc-in@dzhw.eu
Are you interested in joining EcoSoc? Please express your interest by filling in the form below. Your request will be forwarded to the GO FAIR IN coordinating staff and she/he will get in touch as soon as possible.
Partners
