Update on the Update on the Implementation ofImplementation of

BBSRC Data Sharing PolicyBBSRC Data Sharing PolicyDavid McAllister

Research, Innovation & Skills

BBSRC

“Sharing Research Data: Pioneers, Policies and Protocols” 13 March 2009

Background to Data Sharing PolicyBackground to Data Sharing Policy

• Introduced in April 2007

• Complements existing safeguards in scientific best practice– Need for curation of research data (10 years)

• Recognises BBSRC’s leadership role in responding to changing biosciences

Biosciences are ChangingBiosciences are Changing

• BBSRC sponsors wide range of research which generates large data sets– Increasingly high throughput– Multi/inter-disciplinary

• Data can be important for wider community, leads to new biological understanding– Data mining is increasingly important

A recent example…A recent example…

Identification of a chemical probe for NAADP by virtual screening Naylor et al Nature Chemical Biology (22 Feb 2009), doi: 10.1038/nchembio.150

Policy ContextPolicy Context

• BBSRC is one of a number of life science funders

• BBSRC does not own data outputs– These lie with institutions

• BBSRC has a fundamental interest in value for money in investments– Maximum impact (with excellent science)– Essential for continued success in leveraging

funds for biosciences from Science Budget

BBSRC’s PositionBBSRC’s Position

• Data sharing should be:– Science-driven – Community-led– Cost-effective

• Data sharing is separate from long-term archiving

• Data sharing should be practiced across the entirety of BBSRC science– Not just traditionally high-data areas

• IP and data sharing need to be tensioned– Enabling the former should not disrupt the latter

Policy StatementPolicy Statement

BBSRC:• Expects data generated to be made available with

as few restrictions as possible, in a timely manner– Not later than publication of main findings– Be in line with current best practice– Not be unduly delayed by IP/commercialisation

• Recognises that different research areas will require different approaches

• Recognises importance of data quality and providence– Appropriate metadata and standards

http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/publications/policy/data_sharing_policy.html

Data Sharing MechanismsData Sharing Mechanisms

• Where established community resources exist, use them

• Where they don’t…– Seek to create one– Share data via local arrangements

• Local website hosting• Access on request

• BBSRC will provide funds (through grants) to allow data sharing

Data Sharing StatementsData Sharing Statements

• Data areas and types– Volume, type and content

• Standards and metadata– Relationship to other available data

• Secondary use– Further intended/forseeable users for dataset(s)

• Methods for data sharing– Access mechanisms

• Proprietary data– Any restrictions

• Timeframe for public release• Format of final datasets

Data Sharing and Peer ReviewData Sharing and Peer Review

• All applicants are expected to comment upon data sharing intentions– Can request additional (justified) resources to

support data sharing plan

• Data Sharing Statements are peer reviewed– Are the applicants’ intentions appropriate?

• Applicants will report against stated data sharing intentions after completion of grant

Assessment of Data StatementsAssessment of Data Statements

• Proportionate– Assessed separately from scientific

excellence

• Should contribute to the assessment of the overall credibility of an application

• Peer review, rather than BBSRC review

Monitoring iMonitoring i

• Final reporting on awarded grants

• BBSRC-sponsored Institutes will have data sharing statements attached to their strategic programme grants (ISPG)

• Data Sharing Monitoring Group

Monitoring iiMonitoring ii

• Community has, in general, responded well

• Disparity in quality of responses, dependent on– Research area– Existing data sharing experience

• Few financial requests to support data-sharing activities

Future ChallengesFuture Challenges

• How can success/impact of policy be measured?

• How will it affect research behaviour?– Culture change– Improved crafting of grants

• How is ‘best practice’ interpreted by reviewers across disciplines?

• Is data sharing suitably supported financially?

ConclusionsConclusions

• Still fairly early in the life-cycle of the policy to make concrete conclusions; but…

• Community acceptance appears to be high

• Increasing awareness of the benefits of sharing data (and associated metadata)

• Will become more important as ‘large data’ continues to increase in importance

Any Questions…?Any Questions…?

david.mcallister@bbsrc.ac.ukhttp://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/publications/policy/data_sharing_policy.html

Chief Executive’s blog:http://blogs.bbsrc.ac.uk/