“[Data], [data] everywhere, nor any drop to [use].” The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (or, the Rime of the Modern Researcher)
Research has always depended on data: whether it was recorded in a notebook, photographed and documented, or now processed through high-performance computing. Regardless of the medium of the data (paper, photos, your computer), it has always been essential that the data are managed throughout a project and shared as evidence of work. Without oversight of data, they can become unusable, unfindable in the data deluge, or untrustworthy.
To aid researchers across disciplines, expertise, and campuses, the Libraries has created a new department we are excited to introduce: Research Data Services.
Building on the work of Ethan Fridmanski, Data Services Librarian, and Theresa Quill, Maps and Spatial Data Librarian, the RDS Department officially coalesced in early Summer 2025 with the hiring of Mikala Narlock, Director of Research Data Services. Our mission is to inspire good data practices while connecting people to technology and emphasizing the personal behind the data. We support Indiana University researchers, the Hoosier community across Indiana, and the public (better data serves everyone) in the creation, curation, use, and discovery of research data in all forms. We collaborate with other university support centers, including the Research Data Commons and SecureMyResearch.
Our team can provide support to all IU affiliated researchers – students, staff, and faculty alike—in managing and sharing research data across projects: from crafting a data management plan, through collection and visualization support, to publishing and preserving data. We are available to offer personalized guidance via consultations, instruction and education support to classes, labs, and centers, as well as technical infrastructure to make data available.
We are committed to aligning with best practices, such as the FAIR and CARE Principles, with a particular emphasis on responsible data access, use, and sharing. We invite you to reach out to us (resdata@iu.edu) to learn more about our services, get started managing your data, or just connect with us! We look forward to supporting the IU research community in all things data.
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