University of Mannheim: Think tank proposes state initiative on research information management

The importance of systematic research reporting is continuously increasing for universities. At the universities, the collection and provision of the necessary data is brought together using research information systems. Research management is supported with the reports that are possible in this way. This also simplifies the fulfillment of the legal reporting and information obligations and creates transparency in the handling of public funds.

The “Think-Tank 06 – Research Management” of the Baden-Württemberg digitization program bwUni.digital has, based on the current activities for the introduction of research information systems, analyzed the specific challenges that all state universities are confronted with, and in a white paper recommended actions for a common approach developed within the framework of a national association. The program committee accepted the white paper on June 3, 2022.

Solving challenges together
A central success factor for the impetus and the sustainable work of such a network would be a targeted endowment of the project with financial resources and personnel. The aim is to jointly solve the challenges with different research information systems.

Through a cooperation, central requirements – such as e.g. B. comparable reporting bases and data protection concepts – which are similar for all Baden-Württemberg universities, can only be developed once, but could be used by all. At the same time, a merger at state level makes it possible to have a greater influence on the development of software providers and to help shape the nationwide discussions about the core data set research (KDSF) and research reporting.

A Baden-Württemberg state initiative on the subject of research information management could significantly advance the digitization of research reporting by state universities.