Supporting Data Spaces: OCA Composer
In research environments, effective data management depends on clarity, transparency, and interoperability. As datasets grow in complexity and scale, institutions must ensure that research data is FAIR; not only accessible but also well-documented, interoperable, and reusable across diverse systems and contexts in research Data Spaces.
The Semantic Engine (which runs OCA Composer), developed by Agri-Food Data Canada (ADC) at the University of Guelph, addresses this need.
What is the OCA Composer
The OCA Composer is based on the Overlays Capture Architecture (OCA), an open standard for describing data in a structured, machine-readable format. Using OCA allows datasets to become self-describing, meaning that each element, unit, and context is clearly defined and portable.
This approach reduces reliance on separate documentation files or institutional knowledge. Instead, OCA schemas ensure that the meaning of data remains attached to the data itself, improving how datasets are shared, reused, and integrated over time. This makes data easier to interpret for both humans and machines.
The OCA Composer provides a visual interface for creating these schemas. Researchers and data managers can build machine-readable documentation without programming skills, making structured data description more accessible to those involved in data governance and research.
Why Use OCA Composer in your Data Space
Implementing standards can be challenging for many Data Spaces and organizations. The OCA Composer simplifies this process by offering a guided workflow for creating structured data documentation. This can help researchers:
- Standardize data descriptions across projects and teams
- Improve dataset discoverability and interoperability
- Support collaboration through consistent documentation templates (e.g. Data Entry Excel)
- Increase transparency and trust in data definitions
By making metadata a central part of data management, researchers can strengthen their overall data strategy.
Integration and Customization
The OCA Composer can support the creation and running of Data Spaces by organizations, departments, research projects and more. These Data Spaces often have unique digital environments and branding requirements. The OCA Composer supports this through embedding and white labelling features. These allow the tool to be integrated directly into existing platforms, enabling users to create and verify schemas while remaining within the infrastructure of the Data Space. Institutions can also apply their own branding to maintain a consistent visual identity.
This flexibility means the Composer can be incorporated into internal portals, research management systems, or open data platforms including Data Spaces while preserving organizational control and customization.
To integrate the OCA Composer in your systems or Data Space, check out our more technical details. Alternatively, consult with Agri-food Data Canada for help, support or as a partner in your grant application.
Written by Ali Asjad and Carly Huitema
