Research Data Governance in a Digital Age

This chapter investigates the research data governance framework, currently characterized by a tension between two seemingly conflicting factors: the autonomy of the scientific community, guaranteed by Academic Freedom, on the one hand; on the other hand, the European Union’s complex regulatory framework for research data. To understand whether these two conflicting factors may align, the analysis focuses on the flow of research data, distinguishing between incoming and outgoing data. The analysis of the research data flow points out three research data governance bottlenecks: (i) a normative uncertainty and the increased standardization of research practices; (ii) the ineffectiveness of strategies currently at work; and (iii) the under-representation of the scientific community. The aim is to present research data stewardship as an interface between the different levels of intervention and interests involved, and a means through which institutions may develop a proactive role in promoting Academic Freedom.