Information-handling training for researchers - towards a more cohesive environment

The Research Information Network is taking forward the conclusions from its 2008 report, Mind the Skills Gap, with a view to help to further develop information competency among researchers. To this effect, we have set up a working group, made up of representatives from organisations with an interest in improving the information-handling training environment.

Mind the Skills Gap concluded that training for researchers in the UK on information-handling and management is uncoordinated and generally not based on any systematic assessment of needs. The report called for better coordination between relevant organisations and interest groups to ensure that training and professional development programmes are provided for researchers. These issues were emphasised at a workshop, in July 2009, which considered a range of practical ways of developing the agenda in this area. The setting of the working group was one of proposals that emerged from the workshop, the idea being to bring together key constituencies and interested individuals with the aim of kick-starting the further development of information competency and acting as initial champions for advancing the agenda covered by the report.

The terms of reference and membership of the group are attached below, along with the minutes from its first three meetings, held on 9 November 2009, 27 April 2010 and 15 July 2010. The group’s initial task was to frame a joint response to the Vitae consultation on its draft Researcher Development Framework (RDF). That has now been done; the response can be found here.

The group now has two priorities, over the spring and summer of 2010:

• to identify and set out instances of good practice across the UK in information-handling training, with particular reference to how such practice relates to the RDF (whose publication is now expected in July 2010);
• to define and oversee a project aimed at supporting the activities emerging from JISC’s April 2010 call on promoting discipline-focused research data management skills.

Further details about the ideas underlying these priorities can be found in the minutes of the three working group meetings.

We will post more information about information-handling training as the group’s agenda progresses during 2010 and 2011 - keep your eyes on this page. In the meantime, if you would like further information please contact catherine.gray@rin.ac.uk .