Open Research Data

Keele adheres to the principles set out in the UK Concordat on Open Research Data. The Concordat was developed by a UK multi-stakeholder group, including UKRI, Universities UK, and the Wellcome Trust to help to ensure that research data gathered and generated by members of the UK research community is made openly available for use by others wherever possible; in a manner consistent with relevant legal, ethical, disciplinary and regulatory frameworks and norms, and with due regard to the costs involved. 

The ten principles of the Concordat that we adhere to at Keele are: 

Open access to research data is an enabler of high quality research, a facilitator of innovation and safeguards good research practice.

There are sound reasons why the openness of research data may need to be restricted but any restrictions must be justified and justifiable.

Open access to research data carries a significant cost, which should be respected by all parties.

The right of the creators of research data to reasonable first use is recognised.

Use of others’ data should always conform to legal, ethical and regulatory frameworks including appropriate acknowledgement.

Good data management is fundamental to all stages of the research process and should be established at the outset.

Data curation is vital to make data useful for others and for long-term preservation of data.

Data supporting publications should be accessible by the publication date and should be in a citeable form.

Support for the development of appropriate data skills is recognised as a responsibility for all stakeholders.

Regular reviews of progress towards open research data should be undertaken.