The Data Management Accelerator (DMA) supports the Transforming Climate Action (TCA) program by helping researchers plan, organize, document, share, and reuse data across projects, disciplines, and institutions.
DMA makes data management more consistent, inclusive, and useful by supporting the people, practices, and tools that enable high-quality research data. We work with researchers, data stewards, and partner organizations to strengthen data workflows across TCA and help build a more connected research data ecosystem.
Overview
DMA provides practical support for:
- Data management planning
- Metadata and documentation workflows
- Data organization, storage, backup, and sharing
- Coordinated and program-level data collection
- Model inputs, outputs, and computational workflows
- Social sciences, humanities, and sensitive data support
- Data discovery, visualization, and value-added applications
- Training, workshops, and one-on-one support for researchers and trainees
Focus areas
Researcher support
We work directly with researchers and project teams on everyday data management needs, from workflow planning and file organization to documentation, data deposit, and improving reuse.
Coordinated data collection and stewardship
We support shared approaches to managing data across institutions, field sites, and research teams, including metadata standards, cruise data practices, and program-level coordination.
Models, workflows, and reproducibility
We help improve the management and sharing of model inputs, outputs, and computational workflows to support more reusable and reproducible research.
Social sciences, humanities, and sensitive data
We are expanding support for research areas often underserved by conventional ocean data systems, including sensitive data workflows and non-tabular materials such as images.
Indigenous data sovereignty
We support conversations around Indigenous-led data systems and Indigenous data sovereignty, informed by principles such as OCAP® and CARE and grounded in respectful, community-guided practice.
Discovery tools and data applications
We explore ways to make data easier to find and use through better interfaces, mapping tools, collections, and connected platforms.
How we work
DMA works collaboratively across TCA with researchers, trainees, coordinators, data stewards, and partner organizations to strengthen data practices and shared infrastructure.
Key collaborators include:
- Data stewards and research support teams across the four TCA partner institutions
- Researchers and coordinators across the TCA large research projects
- Saint Lawrence Global Observatory
- CIOOS Atlantic
- CIOOS National Coordinating Office
- Digital Research Alliance of Canada
Why it matters
Good data management supports collaboration, transparency, reuse, and long-term research impact. Within the TCA program, data management helps connect people, projects, and knowledge in ways that strengthen research outcomes over time.
Current priorities
- Coordinated field and cruise data practices
- Model data and reproducible workflows
- Training for researchers and trainees
- Social sciences, humanities, and sensitive data support
- Indigenous data sovereignty
- Data collections, discovery tools, and value-added applications
- Partnerships that build lasting data infrastructure
Contact
If you are part of the TCA program and require support with a data management challenge, planning a new data collection activity, or improving how your data is documented, connected, or shared, we can help:
Université du Québec à Rimouski
Université Laval
