The Fragile State of Open Research Data Infrastructure: Why Repositories Fail and How to Prevent It
By
Jay Lloyd
Front-window bakery material. Catches the eye, delivers the goods.
Summary
The article examines the fragility of research data infrastructure—the repositories, preservation systems, and digital asset management services that underpin scientific discovery. It notes that nearly 200 research data repositories have shut down permanently over the last 25 years, and many more remain vulnerable to policy shifts and funding cuts. The piece calls on the scientific community to proactively address the longevity and sustainability of open research infrastructure to prevent further losses of critical data resources.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe global research enterprise relies on information infrastructure to power scientific discovery, medical breakthroughs, and evidence-based policymaking.
But the data repositories, digital asset management services, and preservation systems that ensure research data remains open and accessible are often overlooked—until they disappear.
Over the last 25 years, nearly 200 research data repositories have shut down permanently.
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