Developing RDM expertise: A Librarian’s Review of the Introduction to Data Stewardship Micro-Credential

This guest post is by Margaret Irons, Librarian, School of Celtic Studies, 

Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5589-5601 | https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-kelly-irons/

Figure 1: Data Management Plan. The Turing Way project illustration by Scriberia

Good data governance is a core component of high quality research. Researchers are now being asked to produce robust DMPs (data management plans), to comply with funder requirements, apply FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles, select appropriate repositories and ensure that research outputs remain accessible, secure and reusable.  

As librarian at Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, RDM (research data management) has become an important part of the library’s contribution to research excellence, open scholarship, institutional policy, funder requirements, data and metadata management and compliance.

If you are increasingly being asked to assist with and advocate for RDM or Open Research best practice, and you are looking for formal accredited training whilst also working full-time, then look no further than the Sonraí DH5001 Introduction to Data Stewardship micro-credential which meets these challenges head-on, with a thoughtfully designed programme that is both academically rigorous, seriously practical and conveniently accessible for busy professionals.

Figure 2: Sonraí Irish Data Stewardship Network logo

Micro-credentials are accredited courses available to improve skills you already have or to develop new skills in relevant emerging areas. Delivered by Sonraí, the Irish Data Stewardship Network, and hosted by University College Cork, this thoroughly practical level 9 micro-credential provides an accessible yet comprehensive introduction to RDM and data stewardship. Delivered in a flexible hybrid format over 13 weeks it is aimed not only at current and aspiring data stewards but also at researchers, research support staff, librarians, knowledge managers, research administrators and technical staff supporting research infrastructure.

Figure 3: University College Cork logo

Over thirteen weeks, myself and the 25 or so other students on DH5001, engaged with topics including research data and data stewardship, data management planning, metadata and organisation, data curation and preservation, FAIR principles, policy and compliance, rights and licensing, ethics and governance, and GDPR. Guest lectures provided valuable real-world perspectives on subjects such as Open Research, reproducibility, research security, copyright and licensing, and research ethics.

The course delivery method is particularly effective for working professionals. Lectures and guest presentations are recorded and released alongside transcripts, slide decks and comprehensive reading lists, making the course highly accessible and flexible. I particularly enjoyed the optional online Q&A sessions hosted by the Sonraí team, which offered an informal and supportive environment for all students, whilst also knowing that the Sonraí team were available regularly via email to answer any questions. I also enjoyed the timed release of each module on a weekly basis which helped to keep me working at a steady pace and on schedule.

The course is assessed through a combination of practical assignments and online learning activities. Continuous assessment consists of the completion of an initial version of a data management plan, followed by a final revised research data management plan. Between the first and the final assignment I could really see how my expertise in the area had developed and I now feel even more qualified to offer advice to researchers in my home institution.

In addition, participants complete six online e-tivities in the form of self-assessment exercises and discussion board contributions, which encourage reflection, engagement with course content, and peer learning. These online self-assessment exercises, offered insights into other students’ interesting and varied projects and also offered a supportive forum for learning and expansion of knowledge through active engagement.

I thoroughly enjoyed this course, not only as a professional development opportunity but also because RDM and open research have become a professional passion of mine and to be able to practically expand my knowledge around the subject was both rewarding and exciting. Combining critical thinking with a directly relevant and comprehensive course was both stimulating and challenging in equal measure. It was definitely a bonus to be able to develop my expertise without the added commitment of undertaking another Postgraduate Degree or Masters.

The Sonraí team should be commended for developing and delivering such a high-quality programme. In particular, I would like to acknowledge Dr Aoife Coffey, whose dulcet lecturing tones became something of an unexpected highlight of the course. Aoife’s lecturing style is enthusiastic, engaging, and calming all at once. The programme was enriched by the contributions of many excellent Sonraí lecturers and a diverse range of guest speakers, all of whom brought valuable expertise and perspectives.

In a time where institutions, funders, and publishers increasingly expect robust data practices, this course has further equipped me with skills that are immediately transferable and professionally valuable. I believe this micro-credential represents an important advancement in the professional development landscape for data stewards nationally and it offers the opportunity to remain relevant in rapidly evolving research data management environment.

The next intake to the course will be January 2027 and registration will open in the autumn. Follow Sonraí on LinkedIn for further information.

Acknowledgements:

• I acknowledge the use of ChatGPT to refine my original text and to correct spelling and grammar.
• Thank you to The Registrar, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies for providing funding to participate in this course.

References:

1. UCC Micro-credentials courses https://www.ucc.ie/en/dh5001/
2. Sonraí – The Irish Data Stewardship Network https://datastewards.ie/
3. The Turing Way Data Management Plans https://book.the-turing-way.org/reproducible-research/rdm/rdm-dmp/
4. Data Management Plan. The Turing Way project illustration by Scriberia. Zenodo. The Turing Way Community & Scriberia (2024) https://zenodo.org/records/13882307
5. Coffey, A., Joy, C., Hayes, A., McCabe, G., O'Dwyer, L., McCarney, E., Clarke, R., Madden, F., Stokes, D., Quinn, C., Dalton, M. and Noonan, E. (eds.) (2025) Navigating Open Research - A guide for early career researchers. CONUL Research Group. https://doi.org/10.33178/10468/17586
6. National Action Plan for Open Research https://norf.ie/national-action-plan/