Overview

Following previous iterations of the eLwazi Data Jamborees (https://elwazi.org/training), the eLwazi ODSP Data Support WG will host a follow-up Jamboree aimed at reviewing the progress towards improving the Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Reusability (FAIR) of the DS-I Africa datasets. The eLwazi ODSP 2026 Jamboree will build upon previous work towards enhancing the discovery (find and access) of data generated by the DS-I Africa research projects, address any metadata gaps about DS-I Africa datasets collected, and demonstrate updated software and functionality for data harmonisation purposes.

Training application

Nomination by DS-I Africa Project Principal Investigators and DMAC leads

Skill level of training

Intermediate to advanced

Language

English

Type of training

Workshop

Venue

Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa

Course date

Organisers

Tshinakaho Malesa, Atwine Mugume, Danielle Welter, Vassilios Ioannidis, Lyndon Zass, Katherine Johnston, Wei Kheng Teh, Sumir Panji, Nicola Mulder

Sponsors

eLwazi ODSP

Intended Audience

DMAC members from DS-I Africa research hubs and projects, eLwazi ODSP members involved with the DS-I Africa Data Management working group and development of the DS-I Africa data catalogue. Preferably DMAC members who have attended previous Data Jamboree iterations.

Selection criteria / process

Nomination by DS-I Africa Project Principal Investigators of DMAC members and eLwazi ODSP members. Nominees must have knowledge of their research hub’s data and data handling processes.

Prerequisites

Nominees should have experience and have completed the following:

• Well-versed in their DS-I Africa research project datasets and status
• Have watched the DS-I Africa FAIR Cookbook webinar: https://youtu.be/-sNDkJ-NmmA?si=c2yFe4cM91P9nYIi
• An idea of the FAIR Cookbook and recipes they would like to implement (https://faircookbook.elixir-europe.org/content/home.html)
• Have conducted a preliminary FAIR assessment for their project data
• Determine what ontologies would be suitable for describing their data and metadata
• Know the use and reuse conditions of their project DS-I Africa datasets (https://ega-archive.org/access/data-access-committee/data-use-ontology)
• Experience in completing the REDCap metadata forms for their research projects (https://elwazi.org/user-support/data)
• Preferably be a nominated metadata steward with access to the REDCap catalogue document

Learning outcomes

• Provide an opportunity for the DS-I Africa DMAC members to interact, share skills and expertise around common issues tackled
• Provide attendees with greater awareness of datasets being prepared across the DS-I Africa research projects
• Enable a FAIR assessment of each DS-I Africa research project data to be conducted
• Ensure the completeness of the metadata collected for the DS-I Africa research projects
• Identify and implement FAIR Cookbook recipes for the DS-I Africa datasets
• Mapping of DS-I Africa datasets to various ontologies that include the Data Use Ontology
• Facilitate data harmonisation across DS-I Africa datasets where possible
• Provide an updated version of a data catalogue for the DS-I Africa datasets

Limitations

The eLwazi ODSP DS-I Africa 2024 Data Jamboree is not intended to be a training workshop; participants will be expected to actively contribute and collaborate throughout the Data Jamboree.