WDS-SC Nomination Update

 

Join the World Data System Scientific Committee (WDS-SC): Two Vacant Positions Open Now

We’re pleased to announce that the World Data System is currently seeking to fill two vacant positions on our esteemed Scientific Committee. The WDS-SC is the governing body of WDS, and it is made up of leading scientists experienced in using extensive data resources or data center/service executive leads. SC members are appointed for three years and may renew once. As an organization, we’re committed to fostering effective communication among all members and ensuring their diverse representation in every aspect of our operations.

Visit the WDS website to learn more about the current WDS Scientific Committee.

In line with the WDS Action Plan, in filling these new vacancies we aim to invite fresh perspectives and innovative ideas into our committee. We believe in the power of diversity and inclusiveness, particularly from regions and disciplines where voices have traditionally been underrepresented.

With a special focus on closing gaps in representation from the global south and underrepresented data-intensive disciplines, we’re eager to broaden our horizons. If you’re from one of these areas or possess expertise in such fields, we strongly encourage your participation.

By joining us, you’ll play a significant role in shaping the future of data science and its global impact. You’ll work collaboratively with other committee members from around the world towards common goals – improving quality standards, promoting best practices, and ensuring equitable and global access to data across all scientific domains. Apply today for an opportunity to be part of this transformative journey as we strive for greater diversity and inclusivity within WDS and beyond!

Nominations, including self-nominations, will be open from 7 March to 5 April. Voting on the slate of candidates by WDS members will occur in May.

To learn more and to submit a nomination, please visit the survey link here.

Please contact wds-ipo@utk.edu with any questions.

Introducing Cameron Breland: The new Communications Specialist for the World Data System International Program Office

The World Data System’s International Program Office (WDS-IPO) proudly announces the hiring of Cameron Breland as the new Communications Specialist, joining the active team led by Dr. Suzie Allard, Principal Investigator, and Meredith Goins, Executive Director. With an M.S. in Journalism and an undergraduate degree in Integrated Marketing and Communications, Cameron brings distinctive marketing experience from collegiate athletics, higher education, and public health to the communications role for the WDS-IPO.

Throughout his education and early career in marketing, Cameron developed a passion for seeking out information. The COVID-19 pandemic was occurring as he was completing his master’s, and his unique viewpoint on COVID-19 misinformation and the possible health effects of social media misinformation led him to develop a thesis project based in the public health field. It was a holistic perspective on the intersection of social media, health education, and misinformation in the United States, with an emphasis on misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic. His graduate research on social media within the public health system taught him about the importance of prompt data collection, as research and future progress in any discipline depend heavily on data access.  

Furthermore, Cameron’s experience in promotions with various community shareholders in public health and conducting procedures through team efforts in a local government setting further enhanced his ability to communicate efficiently within the international research community. His passion for critical analysis and data-driven communications aligns with the WDS’s commitment to promoting unrestricted access to invaluable research data worldwide. 

Meredith Goins, on behalf of the WDS-IPO leadership team, expresses her confidence in Cameron’s exceptional qualifications, “WDS-IPO is thrilled to have a strong communicator with research experience join our team. His selection signifies the WDS’s dedication to advancing open science and empowering researchers with unfettered access to critical data resources.” 

“I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the valued team at the World Data System’s International Program Office,” expresses Cameron Breland. “Together, we will continue the great work in outreach to further advance networks and always keep moving our mission forward.” 

Media Contact: Cameron Breland, Communications Specialist, cbrelan1@utk.edu

Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office 

The Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO), located at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, curates a database of research-ready data spanning the full range of marine ecosystem-related measurements including in-situ and remotely-sensed observations, experimental and model results, and synthesis products. 

BCO-DMO’s data stewardship philosophy encompasses all phases of the data life cycle from “proposal to preservation”. Their view of the data life cycle includes the following eight steps: science proposal writing; data acquisition; analysis and synthesis; data contribution; discovery and access; data use and reuse; publication; and preservation.  

GO FAIR US 

GO FAIR is a bottom-up, stakeholder-driven and self-governed initiative that aims to implement the FAIR data principles, making data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR). It offers an open and inclusive ecosystem for individuals, institutions and organizations working together through Implementation Networks (INs). INs are active in three activity pillars: GO Build (Technology), GO Change (Culture), and GO Train (Training).  

Their aim is to connect FAIR stakeholders and foster a community where FAIR approaches can be shared, discussed, and advanced collaboratively. With GO FAIR US, the United States joins the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Brazil in establishing country-level coordinating offices.   

UT-ORII

Aligning the expertise and infrastructure of the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute is a hub for world-class discovery and innovation, interdisciplinary graduate education, and talent development.  

The UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute addresses emerging, top-tier industry and workforce needs. The institute develops locally relevant and globally competitive scientists and engineers. Students will be prepared by teaching innovation and interdisciplinary problem-solving skills.  

Australian Ocean Data Network  

The Australian Ocean Data Network (AODN) is an interoperable online network of marine and climate data resources. The AODN was formed through a collaboration between six Australian Commonwealth Agencies with primary responsibility for marine data. Since its inception, the AODN has grown to encompass organizations and individual members of the Australian, New Zealand, and Pacific marine research community.  

The marine data collections are made freely available to the public. Data covers a wide range of parameters in different ocean environments collected from ocean-going ships, autonomous vehicles, moorings, and other platforms. The scope of observations, geographically spanning ocean to coast, and across disciplines (physical, biogeochemical, biological), provides a challenge to deliver an intuitive easy-to-use robust information infrastructure enabling users to efficiently obtain the data they need.   

WDS Member Highlight: World Data Centre for Soils

The World Data Centre for Soils (WDC-Soils) is a member of the World Data System and a leading provider of soil-related collections and information services. WDC-Soils is hosted by ISRIC – World Soil Information, an independent foundation that serves as a custodian of global soil information.

WDC-Soils’ mission is to ensure the long-term preservation and archiving of soil specimens, country documentation, and geo-referenced databases. Many of these resources are available freely online and can be used to support studies of environmental, societal, and economic sustainability.
WDC-Soils follows clear procedures and workflows for safeguarding, quality-assessing, standardizing, and serving soil data to the world, using FAIR principles. WDC-Soils also promotes open science, data literacy, and data stewardship among its stakeholders and partners.

WDC-Soils is a valuable member of the World Data System community. It is a leader in the field of soil science and its work is making a real difference in the world. Here are some of WDC-Soils’ accomplishments:

  • Developed the ISRIC Soil Data Hub: a web portal that provides access to various soil data products and services from ISRIC and other sources.
  • Created the SoilGrids system: a global gridded soil information system that provides high-resolution maps of soil properties and classes.
  • Launched the Global Soil Information Facilities project: a collaboration between ISRIC and other partners to develop a global infrastructure for soil data sharing and integration.

Operating across disciplines and borders, the World Data Centre for Soils liberates the potential of soil data to provide insights into local, regional, and global processes. Their commitment as a World Data System member to offering state-of-the-art soil data services propels innovative soil science with far-reaching benefits. Through a ceaseless focus on improvement, they expand access to soil information for researchers worldwide.

Member Highlight: World Glacier Monitoring Service

World Glacier Monitoring Service logo reads "WGMS" in light blue text and features a mountain capped in snow, a glacier.

The World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS) has been a Regular member of the World Data System since 13 December, 2011. WGMS is a leading provider of standardized data on glacier fluctuations. WGMS collects and disseminates data on changes in mass, volume, area, and length of glaciers with time, as well as statistical information on the distribution of perennial surface ice in space.

WGMS’s mission is to support the understanding and assessment of the effects of climate change on glaciers and ice caps, and their implications for water resources, sea level, and natural hazards. WGMS works under the auspices of several international organizations, such as the International Association of Cryospheric Sciences (IACS), the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), the International Science Council (ISC), the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

WGMS follows clear procedures and workflows for safeguarding, quality-assessing, standardizing, and serving glacier data to the world, using FAIR principles. WGMS also promotes open science, data literacy, and data stewardship among its network of scientists and data providers.

Here are some of WGMS’s accomplishments:

The World Glacier Monitoring Service nourishes the global science community through its dedication to compiling comprehensive glacier data and promoting its use to understand worldwide environmental changes. As an engaged member of the World Data System, WGMS evolves continuously to broaden its services and ensure they speak to emerging research needs and societal challenges.

Dr. Claire Rye Joins the World Data System Early Career Researchers Network as Co-Chair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A smiling woman with dark hair, Dr. Claire Rye, of New Zealand eScience Infrastructure and co-chair of World Data System Early Career Researchers Network

Dr. Claire Rye Appointed as Co-Chair for the World Data System Early Career Researchers Network

OAK RIDGE, TN, USA – 1 September 2023 – The World Data System’s International Program Office (WDS-IPO) is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Claire Rye as the new Co-Chair for the World Data System Early Career Researchers Network (WDS-ECR Network), joining Dr. Lianchong Zhang and Dr. Maja Dolinar, the current Co-Chairs. With a Ph.D. in organic chemistry and extensive experience in research data management, Dr. Rye brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to support the WDS-ECR Network’s vision and goals.

Dr. Rye is a Product Manager at New Zealand eScience Infrastructure (NeSI) based out of the University of Auckland. She is responsible for the National Data Transfer Service and works across the Aotearoa Genomics Data Repository and Rakeiora Pathfinder projects, looking at research data management and data lifecycle across NeSI.

Dr. Rye’s interest in open science, balanced with CARE principles (Collective benefit, Authority to control, Responsibility, Ethics) and Indigenous Data Sovereignty, and passion for data stewardship and metadata aligns perfectly with the WDS-ECR Network’s mission to foster a community of early career researchers who are interested in data-related topics and challenges. Moreover, Dr. Rye’s expertise in working with diverse stakeholders and developing practical approaches for data cultures, practices, and infrastructures will enhance her ability to collaborate within the global research community.

Dr. Maja Dolinar and Dr. Lianchong Zhang congratulate Dr. Rye on her appointment and express their confidence in her exceptional qualifications. Her appointment signifies the WDS-ECR Network’s dedication to advancing open science and empowering early career researchers with opportunities for networking, learning, and professional development.

“I am honored to join the WDS-ECR Network as a Co-Chair,” says Dr. Claire Rye. “Together with Dr. Lianchong Zhang and Dr. Maja Dolinar and the WDS team, we will continue to build a vibrant and inclusive network that supports early career researchers in their data-related endeavors.”

About the World Data System Early Career Researchers Network (WDS-ECR Network)

The World Data System Early Career Researchers Network is an initiative by the World Data System that aims to create a platform for early career researchers to exchange ideas, share experiences, and collaborate on data-related topics and challenges. The WDS-ECR Network organizes various activities such as webinars, workshops, mentoring programs, and social events to foster a sense of community and belonging among its members.

For more information about the WDS-ECR Network, please visit www.worlddatasystem.org/early-career-researchers-network.

Media Contact: Vinnie Bernabeo, Communications Specialist vbernabe@utk.edu

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