At the recent Research Evaluation in the Humanities and Social Sciences Conference (RESSH2025) Conference, Dr. Lai Ma presented a thought-provoking paper titled “Data Hoarding: A Necessity for Early-Career Researchers?” The study explores the growing tension between open data policies and the pressures of research evaluation, particularly for early-career researchers (ECRs).
Dr. Ma’s preliminary findings reveal a crucial dilemma: while open data is promoted to foster transparency and collaboration, it may inadvertently disadvantage ECRs.
According to Dr. Ma, “For most, data are their [ECRs] lifeline, but open data mandates seem to be coming down without much consideration for how such standards should be put into practice and there seems to be no recognition of the inequity that may be imposed on ECRs as a result of these mandates.”
This research highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to open data requirements that takes into account the career stage and resource limitations of researchers.
For more details, the full book of abstracts is available here, and Dr. Ma’s extended abstract can be accessed on Zenodo.
