ReShare review
A free UK repository for depositing, reviewing and sharing social science data collections.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
ReShare is the UK Data Service’s self-deposit repository for social science research data. Researchers can upload collections with multiple files and supporting documentation, describe them using structured metadata and controlled vocabularies, and set access conditions for individual files. It is intended primarily for ESRC-funded projects, while also accepting submissions from other sources. That makes it a natural fit for UK researchers preparing data for managed repository deposit, rather than teams seeking a general-purpose research data platform across disciplines and regions.
The deposit workflow combines descriptive records with file-level handling. Uploads can include descriptions and content-type information, and access can be open, safeguarded for registered users, or closed by permission. ReShare assigns a DataCite DOI to published collections. Before publication, submissions are reviewed for disclosure risk, copyright, file validity and documentation. This review can support responsible sharing, but researchers should factor it into their publication workflow rather than expect an unchecked upload to become immediately public. The free model makes it accessible without a paid tier decision.
Its ecosystem is specifically tied to UK research services: related project information can be imported from UKRI Gateway to Research, and published collections are discoverable through the UK Data Service Discover catalogue. The web-based, cloud repository is operated and maintained by the UK Data Archive. Email, ticket and documentation support channels are available. Choose ReShare if your work suits its social science focus and you want reviewed deposits, controlled access and catalogue discovery in the UK Data Service environment. Researchers who need a repository centered on other subject areas or a broader international ecosystem should consider alternatives.
ReShare pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Supports multi-file deposits with documentation and structured metadata
- Offers open, registered-user safeguarded and permission-based file access
- Assigns DataCite DOIs and publishes collections in the UK Data Service catalogue
- Where it doesn't
- Submission review means collections are checked before publication
- Designed primarily for social science and ESRC-funded research
- Its catalogue discovery and project import integrations are UK-focused
ReShare fact sheet, pricing and score →
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