Date: June 15
Time: 14:00 – 18:00
Place: TBA

In a digital era marked by increasing cyber threats and privacy risks, protecting research data has become a critical challenge for higher education institutions and their partners. Research Data Management (RDM) is no longer a simple data lifecycle mapping exercise—it is a strategic methodology for trust, resilience, and compliance in collaborative research.

This hands on workshop equips researchers and research support professionals with practical techniques to design and implement effective Data Management Plans (DMPs) that reflect today’s digital realities and the complexities of research partnerships. Participants will explore real world scenarios and co-develop DMP components that address reducing cyber and privacy risks across the research lifecycle, defining roles and safeguards for partners managing shared data, governing the use of Artificial Intelligence in research workflows, and applying RDM practices that support innovation, international collaboration, and competency‑based education.

By the end of the session, attendees will have developed draft components that can be integrated into a broader DMP within their institutional context and will take away practices that reflect emerging trends in higher‑education research methodologies, sustainability, and resilience in academic partnerships.

Objectives

• Raise awareness of the importance of RDM in safeguarding research information, specifically:
  • Why is RDM a key element of resilience in the digital era?
  • Why should researchers use DMPs?
  • How can a DMP support trust when working with higher education partners? 
• Equip participants with practical strategies to design and implement effective Data Management Plans (DMPs) that address cyber threats, privacy risks, and regulatory requirements, specifically:
  • Data collection implications when working with an institutional partner.
  • Identify, assess and address compliance elements, and risks.
  • Safely store and share research information.
  • Consider the impact on research participants, institutions, and partners.
  • Define responsibilities, data ownership and custody.
• Introduce considerations for responsibly integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in research:
  • Using AI responsibly.
  • Training AI responsibly.
  • Consider the risks associated with AI in research.
  • Raise awareness about AI used in supply chain.
• Explore ethical and well-structured RDM practices that foster innovation, international collaboration, and competency-based education, specifically:
  • How the academic research can benefit from international standards such as the FAIR Principles.
  • Evaluate the potential ethical impacts of a research subject beyond the lens of the institution.
  • Innovating while maintaining appropriate data safeguards
  • Consider the implications of international research collaboration (political, national security, regulatory, and ethical)
• Building strong RDM skills that will support early-career researchers through their journey, specifically:
  • Identify risks and challenges early.Clearly define RDM and communicate with partner institutions.Build and sustain resilient research infrastructures.

Intended Audience

Early career researchers, librarians, higher education leaders, and other research support personnel who would like to familiarize themselves with modern Research Data Management.

Knowledge required: Basic understanding of Research data Management is a plus but not required.

Format and Time

This is an interactive hands-on workshop allowing participants to enhance their RDM knowledge and skills. It includes discussions and scenario-based small group practical exercises. It does not include or require a call for papers or presentations.

Agenda

1. Workshop Introductions
2. Brief overview of the topic: innovation vs cybersecurity, RDM and DMPs through cybersecurity lenses
3. Use Case Presentation
4. Practical activities, including intermediate overviews to provide guidance and reflections between exercises
5. Final discussions and questions

Organizer

Luc Letarte is a Research Cybersecurity and Compliance Specialist with the Advanced Research Computing department at The University of British Columbia, Canada, and an independent cybersecurity consultant. He specializes in securing digital research environments through strategic risk management and compliance practices. Luc is an active contributor to the higher education, research and cybersecurity community, regularly presenting at conferences across Canada and internationally where he shares insights on institutional resilience, digital trust, and research cybersecurity. His work bridges public and private sectors, giving him a comprehensive view of the evolving challenges in digital trust and research cybersecurity.