Our Austrian Service Provider, AUSSDA - The Austrian Social Science Data Archive, introduced its services and archive at an event held in Vienna on 17 November.

Representatives of the social science community, CESSDA ERIC, a number of funding agencies and ministries were there to witness the launch of the new AUSSDA archiving solution.

The event was kicked off by Vice Rector Heinz Fassmann, who was pleased about the strategic decision of establishing AUSSDA as part of the University Library. Elmar Pichl and Barbara Weitgruber from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy highlighted the importance of open data, interdisciplinarity and evidence-based policies.

Cees van der Eijk of the University of Nottingham pointed out that data archives minimize the costs of scientific problem-solving, by offering tools, training and the infrastructure to study various phenomena.

Ron Dekker, Director of CESSDA ERIC, illustrated the future of a European Social Data Platform, pointing out the value of linking data from various sources. He called upon researchers to archive and share their data as early as possible and to specifically target the public at large in their communication. CESSDA ERIC considers data to be the most important element for understanding society and for increasing scientific excellence and AUSSDA, as the Austrian Service Provider of CESSDA ERIC, is responsible for conveying trust and sustainability to Austrian users.

Lars Kaczmirek and Dimitri Prandner presented the launch of the new digital repository, and outlined what AUSSDA has to offer.

Klement Tockner, the President of the Austrian Science Fund, stressed that a large amount of data is not accessible to the general public. He called for transparency and a dialogue between science and society.

More information:

• Read the full story on the AUSSDA website
• Agenda, presentations and picture gallery

Photo credits: AUSSDA/derknopfdruecker.com