Last Updated on January 9, 2025, 9:04 am ET
On the final site visit for the Machine Actionable Plans (MAP) Pilot project, the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and the California Digital Library (CDL) visited Arizona State University (ASU) November 19–20, 2024. Over the course of this initiative, funded by the US Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), we’ve explored how machine-actionable data management and sharing plans (maDMSPs) can reduce researcher administrative burden, streamline compliance, and promote open science. ASU’s innovative approaches to research support, open science, and Indigenous data sovereignty offered a fitting conclusion to this exploratory phase, providing critical insights to guide the next steps in this project.
The day-and-a-half visit at ASU provided opportunities to engage with a broad range of stakeholders, including library leaders, research technology specialists, and Indigenous data experts. Activities included presentations on the maDMSP project and ASU’s pilot efforts, breakout discussions to gather feedback, and targeted interviews with administrators and researchers.
ASU’s success in advancing research data management and open science is due in large part to the collaborative efforts of units across the institution. This multidisciplinary group brings together expertise from libraries, research technology, and data management, ensuring a holistic approach to supporting the university’s research community. The ASU MAP Pilot team includes:
- Kathryn Claypool, Health Research Data Manager, Research Technology Office, Knowledge Enterprise
- Justin Fern, Web Application Developer, IT, Research Technology Office, Knowledge Enterprise
- Matthew Harp, Research Data Initiatives Librarian, ASU Library
- Deb McCaffrey, Senior Software Application Analyst and Cyber-infrastructure (CI) Facilitator, Research Technology Office, Knowledge Enterprise
- Nathan Rollins, Web Applications Developer Lead, IT, Research Technology Office, Knowledge Enterprise
- Jim Taylor, Deputy Chief Research Information Officer & Executive Director, Research Technology Office, Knowledge Enterprise
Additional contributors, such as Rachel Fernandez, research data reproducibility librarian, and Anali Maughan Perry, head of Open Science and Scholarly Communication, amplify the impact of these efforts through their expertise in scholarly communication and researcher support.
The team’s collaborative approach ensures that researchers at ASU have access to the resources, tools, and guidance they need to manage and share data effectively while complying with funder mandates and institutional goals.
Indigenous Data Sovereignty
A key theme of importance for this site visit centered on access and the “CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance.” Participants noted that data sovereignty requires culturally sensitive approaches to data storage, sharing, and management. Standardized frameworks often fail to address the unique needs of Tribal communities, making flexibility and consultation essential.
Site visit participants advocated strongly for incorporating Tribal perspectives into maDMSPs specifically, particularly to address concerns around privacy, storage, and consent. These tools could prompt researchers to consider Tribal protocols or provide summaries of policy documents that are often complex and nuanced. These measures may help ensure that data management practices respect cultural values and governance structures.
The Role of AI
Participants discussed AI and automation as transformative for data management workflows. ASU has embraced AI in both research and administrative contexts, with efforts to increase AI literacy and explore locally hosted AI solutions. Automating repetitive tasks, such as converting file formats or summarizing policy documents, could free up resources for more complex challenges while reducing burnout among staff.
However, participants emphasized that AI tools must be guided by human expertise, particularly when addressing nuanced issues like Indigenous data sovereignty or sensitive data governance.
Looking Ahead
ASU’s commitment to open science, Indigenous data sovereignty, and research data stewardship offers a compelling model for integrating maDMSPs into institutional practices. With the support of a collaborative and innovative team, ASU is well-positioned to balance technological innovation with ethical responsibility, setting a path forward for other institutions to learn from.
As the IMLS-funded MAP Pilot concludes, the insights gained from ASU and other participating institutions will inform the next phases of development, ensuring that these tools are actionable, inclusive, and aligned with the diverse needs of the research community.
