The most prevalent perceived barriers to sharing research data at the point of manuscript acceptance in health and life sciences: a survey at the University of Bristol.

Sharing research data is critical for study validation and reuse, yet challenges persist across disciplines, such as psychology 1 and biomedical science 2. While global initiatives promote open science, understanding localized barriers in specific academic contexts is vital to implementing effective solutions. To investigate the most prevalent perceived barriers and reasons that prevent the sharing of research data underlying manuscripts, at the point of their acceptance for publication, within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (FHLS) at the University of Bristol, a research-intensive university in the UK. We distributed a comprehensive survey to FHLS researchers, addressing logistical, technical, and cultural challenges. A total of 143 participants provided insights into their experiences with data sharing. The primary obstacles identified were time constraints and the complexity of the preparation process, with 34% reporting they "usually" or "always" lack sufficient time to adequately prepare their data for sharing. Additional barriers included not having the rights to share (27%), insufficient technical support (15%), and limited incentives within research teams. Moreover, qualitative responses highlighted a lack of confidence in data sharing infrastructure and guidance. These findings highlight the importance of targeted interventions to enhance data-sharing practices. Solutions should prioritize data preparation processes, clarify data ownership policies, and offer tailored training programs. Integrating data-sharing requirements into research workflows from the outset could significantly alleviate these challenges. Our study provides actionable recommendations to inform the development of resources and infrastructure that support a culture of open science within the FHLS at the University of Bristol.