The UNLV Libraries have joined a research project aimed at understanding and addressing the complexities and costs associated with managing and sharing data from funded research. 

UNLV is one of 11 academic institutions across the country participating in the Realities of Academic Data Sharing (RADS) Initiative, which is led by the Association of Research Libraries and funded by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services until 2026. 

“UNLV is pleased to contribute to this critical project that will assist universities in developing necessary infrastructure and cost support to advance research data management,” said Maggie Farrell, dean of University Libraries.

The RADS Initiative is investigating how organizational structures and infrastructure models impact expenses for public access to research data. In analyzing these models, this research will aid institutions in building efficient and coordinated research data infrastructure to meet federal and public policies for data sharing.

Amanda Koziura, head of Scholarly Communication and Data Services, will serve as the research lead for UNLV on the project. 

During the term of the research project, UNLV will receive complimentary institutional membership to the Data Curation Network (DCN), a membership organization of institutional and nonprofit data repositories whose vision is to advance open research by making data more ethical, reusable, and understandable.