INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHANGES IN EDUCATION
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Feb 09, 2026 1 0

Effective Data Stewardship in Higher Education: Skills, Competences, and the Emerging Role of Open Data Stewards

Panos Fitsilis 1 * ,
Vyron Damasiotis 2,
Charalampos Dervenis 1,
Vasileios Kyriatzis 3,
Paraskevi Tsoutsa 2
1 Department of Business Administration, University of Thessaly, Greece2 Department of Accounting and Finance, University of Thessaly, Greece3 Department of Digital Systems, University of Thessaly, Greece* Corresponding Author
International Journal of Changes in Education, 3(1), 2026, 11-22, https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52025166
Publication date: Feb 09, 2026
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ABSTRACT

The significance of open data in higher education stems from the changing tendencies toward open science, and open research in higher education encourages new ways of making scientific inquiry more transparent, collaborative, and accessible. This study focuses on the critical role of open data stewards in this transition, essential for managing and disseminating research data effectively in universities. Further, it highlights the increasing demand for structured training and professional policies for data stewards in academic settings. Building upon this context, the paper investigates the essential skills and competences required for effective data stewardship in higher education institutions by elaborating on a critical literature review, coupled with practical engagement in open data stewardship at universities, and providing insights into the roles and responsibilities of data stewards. This approach bridges the theoretical and practical aspects of data stewardship, offering a holistic view of the requirements for effective management and dissemination of data. In response to these identified needs, the paper proposes a structured curriculum for data stewardship, a direct response to the gaps identified in the literature, and the practical insights gained from the study. It addresses five competence categories for open data stewards, focusing on five critical streams of knowledge required to build a comprehensive understanding for open data managers. By advocating for a structured approach to data stewardship education, this work sets the foundation for improved data management in universities and serves as a critical step toward professionalizing the role of data stewards in higher education. The emphasis on the role of open data stewards is expected to advance data
accessibility and sharing practices, fostering increased transparency, collaboration, and innovation in academic research. This approach contributes to the evolution of universities into open ecosystems, where there is a free flow of data for global education and research advancement.

KEYWORDS

open data HEIs open data steward open data steward occupational profile open data curriculum

CITATION (APA)

Fitsilis, P., Damasiotis, V., Dervenis, C., Kyriatzis, V., & Tsoutsa, P. (2026). Effective Data Stewardship in Higher Education: Skills, Competences, and the Emerging Role of Open Data Stewards. International Journal of Changes in Education, 3(1), 11-22. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52025166
Harvard
Fitsilis, P., Damasiotis, V., Dervenis, C., Kyriatzis, V., and Tsoutsa, P. (2026). Effective Data Stewardship in Higher Education: Skills, Competences, and the Emerging Role of Open Data Stewards. International Journal of Changes in Education, 3(1), pp. 11-22. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52025166
Vancouver
Fitsilis P, Damasiotis V, Dervenis C, Kyriatzis V, Tsoutsa P. Effective Data Stewardship in Higher Education: Skills, Competences, and the Emerging Role of Open Data Stewards. International Journal of Changes in Education. 2026;3(1):11-22. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52025166
AMA
Fitsilis P, Damasiotis V, Dervenis C, Kyriatzis V, Tsoutsa P. Effective Data Stewardship in Higher Education: Skills, Competences, and the Emerging Role of Open Data Stewards. International Journal of Changes in Education. 2026;3(1), 11-22. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52025166
Chicago
Fitsilis, Panos, Vyron Damasiotis, Charalampos Dervenis, Vasileios Kyriatzis, and Paraskevi Tsoutsa. "Effective Data Stewardship in Higher Education: Skills, Competences, and the Emerging Role of Open Data Stewards". International Journal of Changes in Education 2026 3 no. 1 (2026): 11-22. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52025166
MLA
Fitsilis, Panos et al. "Effective Data Stewardship in Higher Education: Skills, Competences, and the Emerging Role of Open Data Stewards". International Journal of Changes in Education, vol. 3, no. 1, 2026, pp. 11-22. https://doi.org/10.47852/bonviewIJCE52025166

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