Strengthening and widening the European infrastructure for social science data archives
Project Summary
After the successful launch of CESSDA in 2013 (Consortium of European Social Science Data Archives), the aim is now to achieve full European coverage, to strengthen the network and to ensure sustainability of its data for the widened network.
The primary ambition is to establish the conditions for, and initiate the movement towards, a seamless social science data archive service for the whole of the European Research Area (ERA), which is capable of supporting the research needs of the next generation of social scientists wherever in Europe they may be, or beyond.
The overarching impact of the project will be to initiate the transformation of the user experience of social science data in the ERA, resulting in a transformation of the evidence and insight available to those tackling the social and economic issues of Europe.
European Coverage
The barriers to and the potential value and benefits from membership in CESSDA will be examined in each European country. Furthermore, existing, relevant infrastructures in those countries will also be mapped.
Coordination and networking activities, as well as stakeholder forums will all be designed and delivered to address the specific barriers identified in the previous step. Relationships between national ministries, Research Councils, and the social science research community will be a focus point of the project.
Moreover, relevant completed initiatives from past projects will be taking up in this project and used to provide support for achieving membership of the CESSDA research infrastructure (e.g. SERSCIDA, DASISH, DwB). National opportunities for using European structural funds and other sources of support will be explored. This approach was chosen so as to ensure that the national and European economic and social benefits, as well as the positive returns on investment achieved through membership of CESSDA are wholly apparent to the relevant national decision makers. Furthermore, existing national infrastructures will be encouraged to complete their transition into a holistic service, capable of access services for all.
Strength and sustainability
The widened membership must form a strong network where global best practice is built into the infrastructure of European social science and research.
Membership of CESSDA should thus mean membership of a world-class support infrastructure. Links will therefore be established with equivalent infrastructures on other continents. A coordinated collaboration and consultation with transnational European stakeholders (e.g. Eurostat, the European Parliament, the Council of the EU, etc.) will bring benefits to all national CESSDA Members.
Furthermore, the visibility of the CESSDA research infrastructure and its importance in providing evidence for policymaking will therefore be greatly enhanced.
For further information on CESSDA please visit the Website : www.cessda.net