Dr Steve McEachern, the former Director of the Australian Data Archive has joined the UK Data Service as its newly appointed Director. He is thrilled about the prospect of leading the delivery of the organisation’s new strategy over the next few years.
The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) awarded the UK Data Service £37.5 million, after receiving a strong case from the institution to continue providing its core services and further improve the quality of its support for users.
Exciting times for the Service
Steve said he is looking forward to leading such a prestigious organisation, with a rich history of success within the world of data. He is also excited about working with the team to enhance the Service’s current range of advanced programmes for researchers.
“The UK Data Service and the UK Data Archive have a long history stretching back over 60 years as a leader in the provision of social science data services, archiving and data support in the UK and around the world. The data holdings supported by the Service are a critical national and international research resource, and the opportunity to drive forward a world leading data service, continuing on from the great leadership that has been provided by Matthew Woollard and the UK Data Service team, is one that I am very excited about.”
“The UK Data Service is looking to build further on its ongoing provision of our core preservation, archiving and data access services. The value of these services is reflected in the ESRC’s funding agreement for the UK Data Service in March this year through to 2030.”
“I’m very much looking forward to joining the University of Essex, and working with the ESRC, as well as our UK Data Service partners based at the University of Manchester, the University of Edinburgh, University College London and JISC, to deliver our vital services over the next six years. In addition, major international collaborations, such as CESSDA, and a range of new programmes coming through the ESRC and Horizon Europe, provide fantastic new opportunities for the Service. I hope to engage with many of these programmes as I step into the role.”
A wealth of experience
Steve has a wealth of experience that will help him to lead the organisation successfully in the future. This includes his role as an Associate Professor with POLIS: The Centre for Social Policy Research at the Australian National University (ANU), where he was responsible for the strategic development and direction of the Australian Data Archive, based at the ANU.
Additionally, he has a high level of expertise in data archiving and survey methodology in Australia and around the world. Over the last 25 years, he has been actively involved in the development and application of new methods, plus innovative technological advancements, in these areas.
Steve is currently the treasurer of CODATA, the International Science Council’s Committee on Data; a member of the Australian Academy of Science’s National Committee on Data in Science; vice-chair of the DDI (Data Documentation Initiative) Alliance Executive Committee; and co-chair of the Research Data Alliance Social Science Interest Group.
Over the last few years, he has led major projects in social science data infrastructure support within Australia and around the world. These projects include:
- The Coordinated Access for Data, Research and Environments (CADRE) 5 Safes project, a national platform for managing access to sensitive data in Australia.
- The Australian and New Zealand Leaders, Elections and Democracy (ANZLEAD) project, supporting the delivery of enhanced data for the benefit of the political science research community.
- The Integrated Research Infrastructure for Social Sciences in Australia (IRISS) project, which supports the development of new integrated research infrastructures for the social sciences sector.
He was also the leader for the Social Surveys work package in the recently completed WorldFAIR project.
His combined experience in all these areas will be a huge asset to the UK Data Service as it looks to expand on its leading role in the data sector over the next few years.