Organizational and institutional work in data infrastructures

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe long‐term sustainability of data archives and other research information infrastructures is a growing concern as stakeholders seek to ensure that resources invested in infrastructure development endure beyond the original project funding period. For this reason, data infrastructure research has gone beyond the technical work of data management, standardization and digital preservation. There is also a growing body of research that looks at the organizational practices and structures of data repositories and infrastructures for the long term and how they shape and reflect technologies, policies, stakeholder needs and priorities, professions and business models.We intend to use this panel to engage the audience in an ongoing conversation about organizational studies, sustainability planning and infrastructure. Panel members will present their research on these topics in different case sites and explore how governance, policies and organizational structures and practices are involved in the maintenance and repair of data infrastructures. We want to know more from the audience about how they are examining policies, business models, governance structures and artifacts in other sites; gaps and needs in research and practice; and next steps for researchers. Some questions of interest: How do repositories define success? How do they make their case for long‐term funding and institutional homes? What scalar issues will arise in the context of even bigger data sources? How do data projects end? We will engage each other and the audience in discussing these questions and concerns.