VAD Infrastructure Commitee

The VAD actively takes part in the ongoing reformation of scientific information infrastructures, following recent recommendations of the Scientific Council. It has also undertaken a comprehensive revision of the DFG-support policy in regard to supra-regional literature resources. The VAD takes into account the heightened relevance of this research infrastructure and is prepared to respond to the profound and rapid changes within this field.

Specifically, it is concerned with management and cooperation between existing African studies archives and libraries, taking an active part in the establishment of high quality curatorial practices and acquisition policies, surveying best-practice overviews and informing scholars about recent developments in this field.

For this reason, a working group on research and information infrastructure was formed in 2013 which, in the course of two meetings, developed initial guidelines that were subsequently adopted during the general assembly in 2014.

• Guidelines of the Association for African Studies in Germany (VAD.e.V.) on research and information infrastructures (June 2014)

In addition, in 2014, a statutory committee of experts who can oversee these infrastructures was established. This statutory committee monitors developments in Germany, representing scholarly research on Africa in infrastructural matters. It actively engages in collaborative discussions with funding agencies and mediates heterogeneous interests. It also offers support in evaluative processes, helping with users’ advisory boards, and supporting the education of junior scientists by offering education in methods and research practices and infrastructures, especially in the appropriate design of curricula and degree programs.

See also:

• • Wissenschaftsrat: Empfehlungen zur Weiterentwicklung der wissenschaftlichen Informationsinfrastrukturen in Deutschland bis 2020, Drs. 2359-12, 13.07.2012, Berlin 2012, http://www.wissenschaftsrat.de/download/archiv/2359-12.pdf
  • Wissenschaftsrat: Übergreifende Empfehlungen zu Informationsinfrastrukturen, Drs. 10466-11, 28.01.2011, Berlin 2011, http://www.wissenschaftsrat.de/download/archiv/10466-11.pdf
  • Wissenschaftsrat: Empfehlungen zu Forschungsinfrastrukturen in den Geistes- und Sozialwissenschaften, Drs. 10465-11, 28.1.2011, Berlin 2011, http://www.wissenschaftsrat.de/download/archiv/10465-11.pdf
  • Wissenschaftsrat: Empfehlungen zu wissenschaftlichen Sammlungen als Forschungsinfrastrukturen, Drs. 10464-11, 28.01.2011, Berlin 2011, http://www.wissenschaftsrat.de/download/archiv/10464-11.pdf
  • DFG-Positionspapier,Juli 2012: Die digitale Transformation weiter gestalten – Der Beitrag der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft zu einer innovativen Informationsinfrastruktur für die Forschung
  • Schwerpunktinitiative „Digitale Information“ der Allianz der deutschen Wissenschaftsorganisationen: Positionspapier der Arbeitsgruppe Forschungsdaten, Februar 2015: Positionspapier „Research data at your fingertips“