Member Highlight: International Laser Ranging Service

5 Jun 2024 | Member Highlights

The International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) provides global satellite and lunar laser ranging data and their related products to support geodetic and geophysical research activities. The aim of these activities is primarily focused on geodetic and geophysical parameter estimation and geophysical model development. Furthermore, the main thrust of these activities addresses the needs of the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS) with products that contribute to the development of an ever more accurate International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF).

The unique ability of ILRS to sense the Earth System center of mass with high accuracy makes these products invaluable in the development of the ITRF, the prime product is the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS). The service coordinates operations of a global laser ranging network, develops the necessary global standards/specifications, and encourages international adherence to its conventions ensuring the highest quality of results. The ILRS is one of the space geodetic services of the International Association of Geodesy (IAG). The ILRS data and products are collected and generated under strict standards and they contribute to a wide range of scientific, engineering, and operational applications and experimentation.

The ILRS has been a WDS network member since 2013.

Member Highlight: Center for Socio-Political Data

5 Jun 2024 | Member Highlights

 

The Center for Socio-Political Data (CDSP) is one of France’s major centers for the production and handling of social science data. It is a key player in the documentation, preservation and production of data. It is also a center of expertise on quantitative and qualitative methods, associated with European research infrastructures. A support and research unit (UAR 828) set up in 2005 by Sciences Po and the CNRS, CDSP is sustained by a team of more than 20 developers, engineers and data specialists.

CDSP is developing a range of infrastructures, platforms and services aimed at the academic community and fully engaged with an open science approach. In this capacity, CDSP provides expertise relating to probability panels and online surveys, metadata standards, and the development and implementation of application infrastructures for research. As such, CSDP is an actor for the promotion and the implementation of open science principles in the SSH community in France and Europe.

CDSP’s databank received CTS certification in August 2023, and they have been a WDS regular member since December 2023.

WDS DORA Endorsement Announcement

2 May 2024 | News


WDS ENDORSES DORA DECLARATION ON RESEARCH ASSESSMENT

World Data System, 2 May 2024 – Word Data System (WDS) announces that our Scientific Committee has approved the endorsement of the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), an initiative designed to improve the ways scholarly research is assessed. DORA, published in 2013, understands the pressing need to improve practices in research assessment and recommends the need for using journal-based metrics to obtain funding. The statement also expresses the need to assess research on its own merits rather than the journal in which it is published.

The signature endorsement shows WDS’ continual support for proper research practices along with other signatories and organizations. DORA’s recommendations have central themes focusing on the elimination of journal-based metrics, assessing research on its own merits, and needing to capitalize on the opportunities provided by online publication. They recognize that many institutions, publishers, and researchers are currently encouraging better practices in research assessment. DORA is following the momentum toward more sophisticated and meaningful approaches to research evaluation that can now be built upon and adopted by all the key constituencies involved. Read the full recommendations for practices in research here.

DORA is closing in on 25,000 signatures and endorsements from almost 200 U.S. based organizations. This announcement is one of the many commitments WDS has made to engage with researchers, research organizations, and repositories to further develop quality research and data. Learn more about the full statement and see how you can support the declaration alongside WDS. 

 

 

DORA Endorsement Press Release 2024

Member Highlight: China National GeneBank DataBase (CNGBdb)

1 May 2024 | Member Highlights

The China National GeneBank DataBase (CNGBdb) has recently joined the World Data System as a Regular Member. CNGBdb is a unified platform built for biological big data sharing and application services to the research community. Based on the big data and cloud computing technologies, it provides data services such as archive, analysis, knowledge search, management authorization, and visualization. At present, CNGBdb has integrated large amounts of internal and external molecular data and other information from CNGB, NCBI, EBI, DDBJ, etc., indexed by search, covering 10 data structures. Moreover, CNGBdb correlates living sources, biological samples and bioinformatic data to realize the traceability of comprehensive data.

China National GeneBank DataBase is one of the key science infrastructures in Shenzhen, approved and funded by the Chinese government. CNGBdb is committed to supporting public welfare, life science research, innovation and industry development, through effective bioresource conservation, digitalization and utilization.

The China National GeneBank DataBase is a public, non-profit, open, and enabling platform. It facilitates advanced genomics R&D and technology transfer to industrial application, including precision medicine, agriculture, marine sciences and microbial application, towards its mission of making genetic resources “Owned by All, Completed by All and Shared by All”.

Member Highlight: Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI)

1 May 2024 | Member Highlights

The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KISTI) joined as an Associate Member in September 2013, attained CoreTrustSeal certification March 2024 and just moved to Regular Member. KISTI is a government-funded research institute in South Korea established in 1962 and contributes to the promotion of national science and technology, industrial development, and national welfare by establishing R&D and service system of science and technology infrastructure.

As a leading national institute of science and technology information, KISTI’s mission states development and support of core science and technology information resources and knowledge infrastructure and create an open, shared-data ecosystem, contributing to the innovative growth of Korea and the quality of citizen’s lives.