Supporting Researchers in Making Their Data FAIR: A Learning Resource for 4TU.ResearchData
Written by Christina Markanastasakis and edited by Iulia Popescu
Over the past nine months, I had the opportunity to join the 4TU.ResearchData team as a learning designer to lead a project focused on supporting researchers in improving the quality of their metadata when submitting datasets, software, and data collections to the 4TU.ResearchData repository. The aim was to clarify how metadata can support the FAIR principles, making data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable, while consolidating existing submission guidance into a single, accessible learning resource. To meet this need, I created a Jupyter Book: a structured Open Educational Resource (OER) hosted on GitHub, where content is written in Markdown and designed to be updated collaboratively by users. GitHub’s version control makes it possible to refine the content over time, making this resource both sustainable and co-constructed. What now exists is a first draft, developed to accompany researchers on their journey toward sharing their data with the world and ensuring it remains meaningful and usable to others.
As the volume of research data continues to grow, it becomes increasingly important for researchers to understand how to make their outputs discoverable and impactful. As I often explain it, “Creating adequate metadata for research outputs is like properly labelling boxes in a massive storage unit or the attic of your grandparents’ house. If boxes aren’t clearly marked, finding what you need takes time, effort, and a lot of guesswork. Some contents might be obvious, but others are far less so. Without clear labels, valuable things may stay hidden or go unused.”
The project was grounded in an understanding of researcher workflows and developed through an iterative feedback process. It benefited immensely from the expertise of the 4TU.ResearchData team and the thoughtful contributions of data stewards, who provided insight at every stage. The learning materials were shaped not only by their input but also by pedagogical design principles and adult learning theory to ensure the content is accessible, relevant, and practical.
Looking ahead, I have shared a series of recommendations to support the resource’s continued development. These include integrating the resource into the repository interface, expanding the use of visual guidance, and promoting it through training initiatives, graduate school programs, and research communities.
I am deeply grateful to the 4TU.ResearchData team for welcoming me into the fold and for their willingness to contribute ideas, clarify processes, and engage fully in the review and refinement of the materials. I also wish to thank the data stewards, whose engagement and insights were essential to shaping a resource that reflects both the challenges and realities of submitting research data to a repository in the current era.
The project ran from September 2024 to June 2025, as part of Christina’s collaboration with 4TU.ResearchData.
