Enhancing digital research culture for early career researchers

This project is designed to train early career researchers (ECR) to create and manage digital data in agreement with the FAIR principle (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable). 

Using existing manuscript images, the ECRs will learn about the principles of the International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) and how to use state-of-the-art annotation tools. They will then use the tool for annotating manuscripts under the mentorship of one of the three ECRs.

This project will capacitate ERCs in a research area that is very crucial yet underrepresented at SOAS. It will also enable them to strengthen their research skills to develop their own research projects. In addition, it will enable me to continue to support and develop ECRs beyond my own externally funded project grants and lead the students to have autonomy and explore new research areas. Moreover, the project it will give me a sense of how a cohort of Ph.D. students with different skill sets can work together organically and collaboratively as a research team at the same career level. 

The aim of this project is to create and coordinate a cohort of ECRs and equip them with skills that they can use in their own research and in future funding applications. The project will widen the horizons of the ECRs with regard to responsible data curation and data processing, and they will learn about standards-based data formats. The ECR who is training and mentoring the other two ECRs will develop his or her research leadership skills through the teaching and mentoring experience.