As a small, modern university we are looking to create an integrated approach to managing our research activity, and meeting sector requirements for Open Access and research data management. And we need to do this quickly. Working with Elsevier we are piloting a new streamlined implementation of Pure. This is the model of how Pure would typically be implemented in a larger institution:

LTU_Pure_1

And this is the streamlined model we are piloting at Leeds Trinity University:

LTU_Pure_2

We are currently in the build stage of the institutional portal, having manually inputed the legacy data. This legacy data was inputted over a period of 3 weeks and Pure now contains details of over 1,200 research outputs and approximately 450 external organisations that Leeds Trinity academic staff collaborate with. This is the first time it has been possible to really interrogate this data – it existed in a variety of sources, some in spreadsheets but mainly in word documents – so it is rather satisfying to be able to ‘tidy up’ this data and exciting to be able to easily report on our research activity.

Alongside the physical implementation of the Pure system, we have to make sure we have the operational support for Open Acess and Research Data Management. In terms of Open Access, we are putting the finishing touches to a Repository Mandate and OA policy, and looking at training and engagement of academics. Pure has yet to be launched amongst our academic staff. We have some ‘Pure roadshows’ planned which we will use to explain the system and Open Access at the same time. Prior to getting Pure, we had no institutional repository, therefore there isn’t a switch of processes for academic staff which we are viewing as an advantage.

We are facing more challenges with regards to Research Data Management. Whereas there is some awareness of Open Access amongst academic staff, there is very little awareness of Research Data Management. We also rarely have research projects where the funder requires the PI to make their data available. This means that engaging academic staff in this area will be more difficult. However that is the advantage of being a CREST member – we can share challenges and expertise with other similar institutions.