Open Research Training
We offer a number of training courses and information sessions in open research, and we are happy to offer bespoke sessions on any aspect of open research on request. Our key training courses are Introduction to Research Data Management and Open Research for Sensitive, Restricted or Confidential Data. These are Moodle courses which can be undertaken whenever is convenient for you. We also have a number of upcoming facilitated training sessions on various topics. Booking information is below.
Bespoke Training
In addition to the training outlined below, we also offer bespoke training for any staff or student group on request. Topics we regulary offer include:
- Open access, funder and REF requirements
- Selection and appraisal of data for long-term storage
- Copyright and creative reuse of research outputs
- Funder-specific data management or open access advice
- Funder- or programme-specific open research training
To discuss arranging a training session, please email research-openaccess@glasgow.ac.uk or research-datamanagement@glasgow.ac.uk.
Next available sessions
| Session | Date | Description | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copyright and Creative Reuse | Wednesday, 23 September 2026, 10:00-12:00 | The session provides participants with a good understanding of basic principles and provisions of UK copyright law, with a focus on the lawful use of third-party materials in research-based outputs. | Register here |
| Open Access advice session | Thursday 08 October 2026, 12:00-13:00 | This session will introduce the University of Glasgow’s approach to open access, including funder and Research Excellence Framework (REF) requirements, and explain what authors need to do to make sure that their outputs are open access. | Register here |
| Open Access advice session | Wednesday 11 November 2026, 14:00-15:00 | This session will introduce the University of Glasgow’s approach to open access, including funder and Research Excellence Framework (REF) requirements, and explain what authors need to do to make sure that their outputs are open access. | Register here |
Self-directed courses
The courses listed below are Moodle courses which can be undertaken whenever is convenient for you. Introduction to Research Data Management is mandatory for PGR students and recommended for staff.
Postgraduate taught students (PGTs) or undergraduates who are interested in learning more about open research are welcome to start with the Introduction to Research Data Management course, but should first read our advice on data management for PGTs and undergraduate students.
Our course materials are available for re-use. Offline versions of our course materials are available through EdShare, and are licenced with a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) licence.
- Introduction to Research Data Management course
- Open Research for Sensitive, Restricted or Confidential Data
Introduction to Research Data Management (PGR)
RSDC 6037
Moodle course (approx 1 hour).
When data are created as part of academic research, they should be carefully stored, managed and, wherever possible, shared.
Through this online course, researchers will learn about data management in an accessible way that they can apply to their own work. Topics include compliance with the University's and funders' policies; managing and storing data safely; and what should happen to your data at the end of a project.
The session will be illustrated with real-life examples of good research data practices. This course will also help researchers to prepare their data management plans, which are required for any project collecting or processing data and are a mandatory component of the first Annual Progress Review for PGRs.
Introduction to Research Data Management is mandatory for first year PGR students and recommended for all staff involved in research or supporting researchers.
You can enrol on the course in Moodle.
Open Research for restricted, sensitive or confidential data
Moodle course (approx 1 hour).
Designed with input from teams involved in research governance across the University, this course supplements the Introduction to Research Data Management training course, aiming to give researchers an opportunity to learn more about good practice, UofG processes and statutory requirements when working with data that might present challenges for data sharing.
The course is recommended for any staff or students who will be working with research data or supporting researchers.
You can enrol on the course in Moodle.
Other data management training at Glasgow
For staff
A number of courses are provided through on areas relevant to data management, such as managing research data, publishing in refereed journals and writing impact statements for grant proposals.
A number of IT training courses are available on using software such as Excel, Access, NVivo and Endnote.
Research & Innovation Services host a number of training courses and annual conferences to support researcher development.
For PGRs
Postgraduate research students should consult their Graduate School training handbooks, brochures and webpages to see the tailored support that is available to them in this area.
Research & Innovation Services also offers a number of training courses, some mandatory and some optional, for PGRs, some of which address research data management.
External Data Management Training
- MANTRA is an excellent free, online non-assessed course with guidelines to help you understand and reflect on how to manage the digital data you collect throughout your research. It has been crafted for the use of post-graduate students, early career researchers, and information professionals. It is freely available on the web for anyone to explore on their own. MANTRA is maintained by Data Library staff in Information Services, University of Edinburgh.
- The UK Data Archive offer training for social science researchers and has produced an excellent introductory guide to managing and sharing data for all researchers.
- The National Centre for Research Methods was set up by ESRC to increase quality in social science research. You can search their database of courses and events, e.g. for courses on qualitative interview research.
Data Management Case Studies
The Research Data Management service collects examples of open research practice at the University of Glasgow. Below you can read case studies of the examples we have gathered so far.
- Learning and practicing good habits
- Gathering data
- Research Data Management in Ethical Consumption
- Research Data Management in Natural History
- Open Research in Psychology
- Working in the Psychological Science Accelerator
If you are engaged in research and creating or working with open data and would be interested in contributing to a case study, please get in touch at research-datamanagement@glasgow.ac.uk.