Accelerate, Integrate, Mobilise, Sustain – FSD AIMS 2030

FSD AIMS 2030 responds to the evolving requirements of the FSD's operating environment. The project improves FSD’s service capacity and strengthens network collaborations across several areas.

In the project, we examine the use of artificial intelligence-powered tools in archiving processes. Our goal is to enhance FSD metadata integration with other sources and to advance the utilisation of metadata both nationally and internationally. We promote the archiving and data management of longitudinal qualitative data and produce a new version of the popular Penna tool for collecting textual data.

Through the AIMS project, FSD will continue to coordinate international collections of comparative social science data in Finland. The project will also organise several training events

The AIMS project consists of five complementary work packages (WPs):

The project advances the objectives of FSD's FIRI2024 Roadmap application and implements FSD's strategic plan, which emphasises expertise, professional services, extensive collaboration, and responsible open science.

Funding

The AIMS project is funded by the Research Council of Finland through the second phase of the FIRI2024 call for national research infrastructures for 2025–2028. The funding period started January 1,2025. Part of the project work will take place in the second phase of the roadmap period, for which funding will be decided by the Research Council following a mid-term evaluation in 2026. The roadmap covers the years 2025-2028.

WP 1: Adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI)

FSD is developing its capabilities in utilising AI-based solutions and services in its workflows and user-driven services. The focus is on practical solutions and applying existing technologies. The work package includes setting up a staff learning program on the use of AI solutions, integrating new AI-based solutions into the FSDs processes (e.g., search functionalities), and producing a metadata corpus for use in AI applications.

WP 2: Qualitative Data Service 2.0

The work package expands FSD's qualitative data services to meet the current needs of researchers. Textual data collection tool Penna will be completely redesigned and published as open source. At the same time, English-language collections will be made possible, along with features that facilitate the monitoring and management of the collections.

Additionally, the work package will develop and test an anonymisation concept that enables the reuse of longitudinal qualitative data in situations where new identifiers are continuously added. The pilot will be carried out in co-operation with Ontological Reconstruction of Gaming Disorder (ORE) project (University of Jyväskylä)

WP 3: Comparative data service (CDS)

The work package includes the preparation of the International Social Survey Program (ISSP) and European Values Study (EVS) in cooperation with Finnish researchers. ISSP data will be collected annually (five waves), and EVS data once midway through the project period. In addition, FSD is responsible for covering the membership fees for the LIS Data Center and ICPSR in Finland.

WP 4 Enhanced Integration into the (Meta)data Landscape

The work package will enhance FSDs interfaces and metadata interoperability as part of various national and international services. It will also pilot the transfer of metadata between the FDS and other research organisations. The aim is to enrich metadata collaboration with other actors, and to provide metadata in the format required by Scientific Knowledge Graphs.

WP 5 Strategic Networking and Community Engagement

The work package focuses on networking nationally and internationally, impact, training and education, communication, and providing support to other work packages, particularly in ethical aspects and applicable legislation. The work package will organise trainings sessions and events, be responsible for project communication, and strengthen practices related to anonymisation and data citation alongside legislation and ethical aspects. It will also support researchers in using data for longitudinal and comparative research.