Our History
The Open Scholarship and Research Data Services (OSRDS) department at Harvard Library embodies a unification of two highly impactful programs: the Office for Scholarly Communication (OSC) and the Research Data Management (RDM) Program. Together, these programs have long supported Harvard scholars in the creation, sharing, and reuse of knowledge. By merging these groups, OSRDS builds on their respective successes to advance Harvard’s strategic priorities in an evolving open knowledge ecosystem.
The Legacy of the Office for Scholarly Communication
Established in 2008 to promote open access to scholarly outputs, the OSC has been a cornerstone of Harvard’s commitment to open scholarship. Its achievements include drafting, implementing, and managing open access policies for Harvard’s schools and research centers, overseeing the DASH (Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard) repository, providing copyright advisory services, and supporting innovative practices in scholarly publishing. By championing open access, the OSC has played a vital role in making Harvard’s research outputs widely accessible to the world.
The Foundation of the Research Data Management Program
Launched in 2017 to address the growing complexity of research data, the RDM Program has delivered essential services to Harvard’s research community. These services include guidance on data management planning, best practices for data curation and sharing, and support for compliance with funder requirements. The program’s expertise has empowered Harvard researchers to share their data widely and maximize its impact.
The Formation of OSRDS
The creation of OSRDS stems from a strategic organizational review conducted to align Harvard Library’s services with its strategic direction of Advancing Open Knowledge. In Fall 2021, the RDM Program was brought under the same portfolio as the OSC, within the purview of the Assistant University Librarian for Content Strategies. This initial integration aimed to unify support for open research outputs—including publications, data, code, and other forms of scholarship—through common services and infrastructure. Building on this foundation, Harvard Library announced the formal merger of the OSC and RDM Program in early 2022 to form OSRDS. This new department reflects a broader vision: to develop and implement cohesive strategies that maximize the openness, discoverability, and impact of research outputs while fostering a more equitable and diverse scholarly ecosystem.