To assist in evaluating and planning, UBC selected to adapt the Research Infrastructure Self-Evaluation (RISE) tool, developed by the Digital Curation Centre in the United Kingdom. The RISE framework assists institutions to benchmark themselves in order to facilitate RDM service planning and development. The tool provides a framework for discussion, enabling relevant stakeholders to contribute their experience to all aspects of a holistically envisioned service to reach a shared vision of where the RDM service should be. This model provides a framework to assess the current level of RDM maturity across the institution and breaks down different goals that can be prioritized for the future. Based on this model, the UBC RDM strategy attempts to document both our current and desired state in the broad scope of RDM. A working group was struck from members of the steering committee to apply the RISE model, adapt it to the UBC context, and consult with the research community. Extensive consultation was, and remains, critical to this process.
Extensive consultation with the UBC research community formed an integral component of the development of this strategy—first when implementing the RISE model, establishing the maturity baseline and setting priorities for the future, and then once again during the drafting of this document.
The multifaceted approach to engaging with the community included town halls, focus groups, as well as sessions integrated into regular meetings of existing groups of stakeholders. Throughout the consultation period, a web-based form remained available to collect community feedback.
Key definitions