Background

The data steward profession is internationally among the fastest growing jobs (report from DANS - NL). Despite this, there is currently no defined career and educational pathway in Norway to become accredited as a Data Steward. On top of this, this highly demanded position is not presently represented in a suitable job category in the Norwegian public sector. The evaluation committee for the Norwegian Research Infrastructure program already wrote in 2021: The committee recommends that “RCN, together with the RPOs [research performing organisations], promote training of highly skilled people needed for operating RIs in the research system. We would especially mention data stewards as a new category that does not yet have a place in the system” (Evaluation of the INFRASTRUKTUR initiative, page 6).

Due to their transdisciplinary competence and their broad range of responsibilities, Data Stewards are currently employed across different job categories. This often results in misaligned career progression matrices and poor career progress (see also NIFU report: Technical-administrative employees in the university and higher education sector)

Aim

In this event, we aim to learn about the approaches adopted by other countries in defining and integrating the profession of Data Steward in the public sector and discuss together with the Norwegian unions, research and education institutions and Data Stewardship Experts on potential ways to anchor this role better in Norway.

Agenda