FAIR Principles for Research Hardware (FAIR4RH)

FAIR4RH group focuses on the redefinition and adaptation of FAIR principles for research hardware. Under the term research hardware we refer to the research outputs encompassing application-oriented prototypes and laboratory equipment (e.g., custom-made instruments). The starting point of our work is based on the previous adaptation of FAIR principles for open hardware (Miljković, Trisovic, & Peer, 2021). The goal of the group is to assess current practices on hardware as research output. The ultimate goal is to provide guidelines for appropriate adopting and adapting FAIR principles that are currently normative for data and software. To achieve this we need to focus on unique hardware properties and complex dependencies. Although FAIR principles provide good starting point for all digital assets, they may not be sufficient for proper research hardware reproducibility that is the core principle for open science. Other than FAIR principles, this group also aims to identify the requirements and practices for recognition of research hardware outputs.

The FAIR4RH RDA group aims to engage RDA community, as well as OH community (e.g., GOSH, OSHWA), researchers involed in scientific research projects around OH practices (e.g., Open.Make, OPENNEXT), maker communities, and all interested parties to address current practices, challenges, and provide directions for adopting FAIR principles and good practices in disseminating research and open hardware.