The Data Steward

Since the publication of The FAIR Guiding Principles for scientific data management and stewardship in 2016 (Wilkinson et al. (2016)), which paved the way for openness in science, experts in data management have been increasingly required by universities and research institutes. However, the current landscape of data stewardship remains fragmented in terms of training and career pathways, as empirical sources of information are scarce (Kalová et al. (2024)). Data Stewards are mostly considered members of support staff rather than research staff. This leads to frustration among Data Stewards and hinders collaboration.

Data Stewards have domain-specific academic background and experience, along with additional technical skills, including basic computer programming and an understanding of data science. As highlighted by Teperek et al. (2022), there is a need to rethink the divide between scientific and support staff and to understand and recognise the collective value each brings to the research ecosystem.

To this end, the NODC detailed the Data Steward profiles at the Data Centre. The Data Steward profiles are included in the NODC's Organisational Manual, a key internal deliverable for documenting and improving support processes related to human resource management, in accordance with the requirements of ISO 9001 for implementing the Quality Management System.

The profiles - Data Steward Research, Data Steward Infrastructure, and Data Steward Policy - were described by Scholtens et al. (2022), which the NODC used as a reference and then adapted to best reflect the specificities of the Data Centre at OGS. For each Data Steward profile, we provide a brief description, its position within the NODC, main responsibilities and activities, and minimum requirements. These requirements are divided into education, experience, and competencies, which include knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA). Knowledge and skills are provided for two levels of maturity: junior and senior. As shown in figure 1, gradual overlapping of the knowledge and skills of the three Data Steward profiles occurs with professional maturity, despite starting from different educational backgrounds.

Figure 1 After initial recruitment, the Data Stewards begin their maturity process, which is divided into two seniority levels: junior and senior.

Read the Data Steward profiles to understand why a Senior Data Steward plays a key role in implementing the FAIR principles.

In summary, the primary responsibility of a senior Data Steward is to ensure that data are managed according to shared standards and best practices throughout the data lifecycle. A Senior Data Steward oversees the quality of metadata, promotes the use of persistent identifiers, and ensures that data are archived in appropriate repositories. This role also involves defining access methods and ensuring that data are accompanied by appropriate licences for reuse. The Senior Data Steward coordinates between researchers, technical staff, and data governance managers, contributing to regulatory compliance and the dissemination of a culture focused on quality and sharing. Their presence is essential for enhancing an organisation's information assets.