Uniarts Helsinki research data policy

Read the research data policy of Uniarts Helsinki.

Uniarts Helsinki is an independent multidisciplinary art and science community that operates in the fields of visual arts, music, theatre and dance as well as other closely related fields. Research at the university focuses on the fields of art research1 in a diverse way. Uniarts Helsinki produces knowledge with public funds and promotes the open utilisation of that knowledge in research and society. The purpose of the Uniarts Helsinki research data policy is to increase the effectiveness of research and to guide and strengthen the openness of research in accordance with the strategy of Uniarts Helsinki. This document contains the framework of the Uniarts Helsinki research data policy. More detailed instructions and guidelines are available separately in the action programme.

The research data policy concerns the access to and storage of research material in both digital and non-digital forms. In addition to digital research data, research material typical of Uniarts Helsinki include artefacts, different types of drafts, extensive paper materials and artworks that cannot be converted into digital forms due to their nature. Research material or research data is often unique in art research. It can be created during the research process or it can be used to document the artistic research process itself. Research material may also include unfinished parts or extracts from completed work.

  1. Uniarts Helsinki follows the FAIR principles, especially regarding digital research material, meaning that it should be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable. For non-digital research material, these principles are used as applicable, in particular with regard to findability and accessibility.
  2. When accessing and managing research material, Uniarts Helsinki adheres to the responsible conduct of research and ethics guidelines determined by the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK. The university protects confidential information while ensuring information security and data protection in accordance with legislation, good scientific practice and the guidelines and recommendations issued by the university.
  3. Uniarts Helsinki includes the management of research material in the studies of doctoral candidates and in the orientation of researchers and research staff.
  4. Uniarts Helsinki organises training related to good material management practices.
  5. Uniarts Helsinki will further develop research material infrastructure for researchers and research groups, including tools and services that support the management, use, discovery and distribution of material. The material infrastructure will be built and developed in collaboration with national and international actors, taking into account the services and infrastructures they provide.
  6. A data management plan is always prepared as part of research.
  7. The ownership and use rights of research materials must always be agreed upon before the launch of a study, taking into account relevant legislation and the terms and conditions of agreements and funding organisations when processing, publishing or submitting material.
  8. Metadata, i.e. descriptions of material, are essential for both digital and non-digital data. Pertinent descriptions of the owner, legal restrictions and user licences ensure that the material can be understood both during collection and processing and later during the life cycle of the research material.
  9. Research materials are recommended to be shared and open. Access to research materials may be restricted if necessary. Restrictions may include provisions on privacy, confidentiality, security or project agreements or intellectual property rights.

The research data policy and action programme have been approved by the Uniarts Helsinki Executive Group on 7 October 2020.

1 Art research has been expressed as a concept in the Uniarts Helsinki strategy for 2021–2030. It refers to the artistic research characteristic of Uniarts Helsinki as well as research in art and art education, while also including research that uses the approaches of so-called traditional scientific research.