Our central objective during this Birds of a Feather session is to give an opportunity to national networks and groups supporting RDM and data stewardship both existing and emerging to come together, to share experiences, identify common goals and challenges and consider potential collaborations. Areas for discussion to include; 

1. Links to be forged between existing and emerging networks 

2. To learn from the experience of others, especially from established networks and groups

3. Discussion of how to sustain network and network activities long term 

4. Recruitment of members 

5. Identification of key stakeholders 

6. Examples of best practice and expertise but also areas of shared uncertainty

7. Investigation of the potential for shared projects and resources

 To enable these objectives we propose that this meeting will focus on facilitating discussion and interaction between attendees, both online and in person. We propose to have an open invitation to representatives from emerging and existing networks including but not limited to emerging Irish Data Stewardship Network, existing  LCRDM in the Netherlands, Digital Research Alliance of Canada, Polish Working Group of the Data Stewardship Competence Centers Implementation Network, UK Repro Network. We hope that those who are not yet part of a network but are interested in forming one will also join.

Collaborative session notes: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_8c7ZzlecQAv4VBxaKvt7MZakx8ssuYErxox…

1. Welcome address and meeting setup explained – Aoife Coffey 

2. First discussion session – What is the role of a national data stewardship network? 

Thematic areas for discussion;

• role and remit of RDM/ data stewardship networks, 
• membership and recruitment, 
• sustainability,
• key stakeholder

3. Second discussion session – Coalition of the willing – how can national networks work together? 

Thematic areas for discussion;

• examples of best practice,
• common goals,
• areas of uncertainty,
• potential shared projects and resources.

4.  Session close/ take home messages/ actions

• Areas of potential collaboration 
• Is there potential for an RDA Interest Group?

Dr Aoife Coffey joined UCC Library in 2018 as Research Data Coordinator.  Since then, she developed the Research Data Service which is dedicated to supporting and facilitating researcher engagement with Open Data and the FAIR principles through training and consultation. She has a PhD in Plant Science and was a Data Quality Officer at the National Cancer Registry. This experience has instilled insight and understanding of data management from a researcher and data manager perspective. She has worked to advance Open Research by actively engaging in discussion and actions at local, national, and international forums.  Encouraging the inclusion of FAIR and Open Data provisions locally in UCC by instigating collaboration and shared project with ITS, UCC Research and UCC Ethics, nationally as Co-Chair of the NORF FAIR WG, Deputy Chair of CONUL Research sub-group, through communication and networking events for data stewards in Ireland and internationally through collaborations with European initiatives such as the FAIRsFAIR project. Recently delivering a well attended webinar in collaboration with UCD Library on the development of research data service. She is the project lead on a project recently funded by the Irish  National Open Research Forum to create a national data stewardship network in Ireland.