We would like to invite you to the workshop Onderzoeksdata als erfgoed? on Wednesday 13 May from 14.00 to 16.00 at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. During this meeting, we will bring together Research Data Management experts and heritage specialists to explore which data can be considered heritage, which technical aspects are important for their archiving, and how this can be organized institutionally.

As an example and source of inspiration, we will look at the “non-archived” research data of the Apollo moon missions from 1961 to 1972, which were only recently restored for research purposes but also mark an important moment in the history of the Western world.

Background
As the ten-year retention period for many research datasets is coming to an end, various institutions, including the VU, are working on a reappraisal framework to determine which datasets should be preserved for research purposes. According to the advisory report Dicht het zwarte gat (Stichting Academisch Erfgoed, 2023), some research data can be regarded as vulnerable digital heritage. In this workshop, we will explore this further.

Program
14.00–14.20 Presentation on the reappraisal framework for research data

14.20–14.30 Introduction of the central question: Can datasets be viewed as heritage and what is needed to preserve them as such?

14.30–15.15 Discussion groups
• Heritage value of datasets
• Technical requirements for sustainable preservation
• Organizational and process-related aspects

15.15–15.45 Plenary feedback

15.45–16.00 Action points for one’s own practice or institution

We sincerely hope that you will be able to attend this meeting and that you will be willing to share your valuable expertise.

The workshop will be in MF-A216
The workshop will be in English

Sign up by contacting Eline Bos via e.m.bos@vu.nl. 

Signed,

Eline Bos, conservator Academisch Erfgoed VU
Marcel Ras, coördinator Network Research Data Support
Dimitri Unger, functional application manager – Pure / VU Research Portal / RDM Support