Community engagement in developing a sustainable Open Access data infrastructure for physical sciences
Saul, Louise; Knight, Nicola; Pearman-Kanza, Samantha; Willoughby, Cerys
- Publisher
- Zenodo
- Language
- en
Abstract
As in many academic disciplines, challenges exist for researchers and research enablers in the physical sciences in ensuring that data and associated attributes are FAIR and published for re-use. Whilst the field is diverse and encapsulates many practices, the identified challenges include: data interoperability, loss of data when converting between different scientific data formats, heavy reliance on data generation through facilities, heterogeneity in naming, lack of uptake on tools to support best practice such as Electronic Lab Notebooks, and lack of training to support the required change in research culture. The Physical Sciences Data Infrastructure (PSDI) initiative is creating a data infrastructure that connects existing experimental and computational facilities within Physical Sciences and beyond to enhance research efficiency. PSDI looks to improve data handling across the research data lifecycle through the creation of tools and services that can be deployed within the researcher’s workflow, developed from community requirements, incorporating strategies for the skills & training, best practices and standardization activities needed alongside. Following an initial pilot and development phase, focusing on connecting existing infrastructures, data stewardship practices, and best use of people technology, PSDI has recently launched an initial set of resources for the physical sciences community in the form of services, software tools, data sources and guidance. PSDI enables researchers to use reference quality data from commercial and open sources; share resources within the community; make use of technologies such as AI to explore data; and learn how to make their research open and FAIR. Much of these services are available Open Access, however some are only Members-Only Open Access. In this session, we will talk about how PSDI developed workflows to promote community engagement and the activities undertaken in the initiative and discuss the process and challenges in making an Open Access Infrastructure.
Full text
https://www.psdi.ac.uk/ Community engagement in developing a sustainable Open Access data infrastructure for physical sciences OAI Satellite Event, 27th November 2025, Dr Louise Saul University of Southampton
Presentation Outline Introduction to PSDI Development of the PSDI Addressing community needs Growth of PSDI tools and resources as OA (and MO) infrastructure Getting involved with PSDI CC BY-ND 4.0 Errant Science -https://errantscience.com /
What is PSDI? UK funded project through the UKRI Digital Research Infrastructure theme (DRI) via EPSRC Developed out of a community statement of need Lead institutions: University of Southampton and Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) First launch of resources are now live! www.psdi.ac.uk
Some Barriers & Challenges for the Physical Sciences Data Lack of access to reusable structured datasets Un-FAIR Data Data locked away in proprietary formats Lack of metadata / provenance Cost of storing data Technology Too many (and yet not enough) formats and standards Complexity in selecting and adhering to standards Lack of interoperability between software People Attitude and adoption of standards and principles Lack of knowledge and skills around data management (need data stewards!) Lack of time and human resource
PSDI Principles Connecting existing infrastructures Workflows to connect between systems National and international collaboration Best use of data Find Data across multiple data sources (reference, experimental, simulation) Better structured data & metadata Reproducible data processing workflows Best use of people Community co-ordination Build skills and providing training Support and sharing guidance Best use of technology Deploying extensible tools and services Use of standards and ontologies
STANDARDS SERVICES RESEARCH GUIDANCE & TRAINING PSDI Interoperability Work
Data Services Data Tools Access to Data Sources Guidance, Training & Case Studies Developments to support the community Community Collaboration
How are PSDI’s tools MO-Open Access? PSDI captures data from multiple sources to improve visibility and impact of data – through agreements PSDI provides open access training in practices linked to good data use in the physical sciences Access to the Galaxy API automate workflows Access to ELN finder to support data capture
Data Format Conversion Service Seamless Customisable Conversion Accessibility Multiple Converters Extensive Format Support Multiple mechanisms of use We have created a service to address the issue of Interoperability in the Physical Sciences Ultimate goal: One stop shop for data conversion – without the need to write complicated code or download and test many convertors Provide information about conversions and potential quality issues e.g. loss of information
