Developing a Data Fellowship Program and Peer-to-Peer Support Model

Abstract

Objectives: To support the library’s research data services program and provide opportunities for student employees to gain skills in supporting data science research and teaching, the author led the creation of a data fellowship program at their institution. The author describes the development of the program’s peer-to-peer support model and how that model was integrated into the library’s broader research data services program.Methods: There were two aspects to the fellowship’s peer-to-peer support model. First, the data fellows provided direct support to their peers—through instruction, reference support, and outreach—who were engaged in data-related research projects and class assignments. Second, the fellows engaged in professional development and learning opportunities led by library colleagues. Results: During the first year of the program, the data fellows provided virtual data reference support, developed two CANVAS modules, conducted an email outreach campaign, and authored several blog posts. Furthermore, the data fellows received data reference training and engaged in discussions with library experts on pertinent data-related topics. These discussions provide the fellows with knowledge and skills that can be utilized both during and after the fellowship.Conclusions: The first year of the STEM Data Fellowship program proved to be successful in establishing the foundation for a robust peer-to-peer learning and support model for research data services at the author’s institution. The author plans to further enhance and grow the program in future years by providing more opportunities for established and new data fellows to contribute to the library’s ongoing RDS efforts.