On 11 November 2021, our colleague Professor Dr Dr Theodor Leiber was appointed by the Joint Science Conference (GWK) as a further member of the Commission for Research Information in Germany (KFiD), which was newly founded in July 2021 and will initially be established for a project period of six years (https://nachrichten.idw-online.de/2021/07/02/kommission-fuer-forschungsinformationen-in-deutschland-kfid-uebernimmt-verantwortung-fuer-den-kerndatensatz-forschung/). An office will be set up at the German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW, Hanover) to provide operational support for the commission's work.
This means that evalag will be closely involved in the interesting developments in this area. By setting up and supporting the KFiD, the GWK aims to promote the nationwide implementation and use of the Core Data Set for Research - Standard for Research Information in Germany (KDSF standard). The KDSF standard (https://www.kerndatensatz-forschung.de/) is seen, among other things, as a basis for the professionalisation and standardisation of data-supported reporting by scientific research institutions and thus also represents added value for institutions requesting data. Against this backdrop, KFiD is becoming an important player in the process of strengthening Germany as a centre of science in the face of the digital transformation.
The third meeting of the KFiD took place on 21 December 2021. Four further meetings are planned for 2022. The Commission's general work programme includes a number of key tasks. These include the ongoing monitoring and analysis of the use, dissemination and usability of the KDSF as well as the analysis of information needs, use cases and requirements in the context of internal and external reporting processes and the use of research information systems (RIS) at universities and non-university research institutions. Another core task is to monitor and compare the effectiveness of state initiatives and other support structures with regard to the dissemination of KDSF and the professionalisation of institutional management of research information. The international connectivity of institutional RIS is also within the remit of KFiD. Finally, a further core task of the commission is the publication of work results and science policy statements, position papers and recommendations.