2024/11/23 by Irene V. Pasquetto, Amina A. Abdu, Natascha Chtena · 2 voices
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Computer Science · Decision Sciences · #Cell Image Analysis Techniques #Research Data Management Practices #Scientific Computing and Data Management
paper · pdf · doi:10.1002/asi.24965
openalex publication_date 2024/11/23 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/11
Abstract In this paper, we examine the role digital curation practices and practitioners played in facilitating open science (OS) initiatives amid the COVID‐19 pandemic. In Summer 2023, we conducted a content analysis of available information regarding 50 OS initiatives that emerged—or substantially shifted their focus—between 2020 and 2022 to address COVID‐19 related challenges. Despite growing recognition of the value of digital curation for the organization, dissemination, and preservation of scientific knowledge, our study reveals that digital curatorial work often remains invisible in pandemic OS initiatives. In particular, we find that, even among those initiatives that greatly invested in digital curation work, digital curation is seldom mentioned in mission statements, and little is known about the rationales behind curatorial choices and the individuals responsible for the implementation of curatorial strategies. Given the important yet persistent invisibility of digital curatorial work, we propose a shift in how we conceptualize digital curation from a practice that merely “adds value” to research outputs to a practice of knowledge production. We conclude with reflections on how iSchools can lead in professionalizing the field and offer suggestions for initial steps in that direction.