4 Aug 2026 | Member Highlights
The National Earth Observation Data Center of China (NODA) is a pioneering institution in China’s scientific data landscape, being among the first national scientific data centers officially recognized by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Finance. NODA is entrusted with the comprehensive management of China’s earth observation scientific data resources and services, as well as the development of a national-level big data facility dedicated to public benefit. Central to its international outreach is ChinaGEOSS, NODA’s core service portal, which acts as the main conduit for sharing China’s high-quality earth observation data with the world. Through ChinaGEOSS, NODA integrates these valuable datasets, connects with the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), and actively fosters international scientific collaboration and sustainable development initiatives.
NODA’s integration with ChinaGEOSS forms a synergistic system that bridges national data infrastructure with global scientific communities—a mission perfectly aligned with the core values of WDS. Both NODA and WDS are committed to advancing open sharing, accessibility, and the responsible stewardship of scientific data on a global scale. By representing China in international efforts to promote open earth observation data and enabling collaborative research worldwide, NODA strengthens the WDS network’s capacity to support sustainable development and scientific progress. This partnership exemplifies how robust national data platforms can empower international frameworks like WDS, creating a more interconnected and effective global data ecosystem. The National Earth Observation Data Center of China became a WDS network member in June 2026.
4 Aug 2026 | Member Highlights
INFRA-ART Spectral Library is a dynamic, open-access digital repository developed by the National Institute for Research and Development in Optoelectronics – INOE 2000 in Romania. Serving the heritage science community, INFRA-ART provides an extensive and meticulously curated collection of over 2,000 high-quality spectral datasets covering more than 1,000 reference materials commonly found in works of art, archaeological artifacts, and other cultural heritage objects. By offering open access to these datasets, INFRA-ART significantly advances material identification, supports research and conservation decision-making, and contributes to innovation and education in heritage science.
The partnership between INFRA-ART and WDS is a natural fit due to their shared commitment to the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and TRUST principles. INFRA-ART’s strong focus on data accessibility, transparency, and long-term sustainability aligns perfectly with the WDS mission to promote reliable, quality-assured scientific data services globally. Their support for cross-disciplinary research and reliable data reuse actively strengthens the WDS network, fostering international collaboration and ensuring that vital heritage science resources remain openly available for current and future generations. INFRA-ART Spectral Library became a WDS candidate member in June 2026.
29 Jun 2026 | Member Highlights
First Nations Economics (FNE) is an Aboriginal-led, Supply Nation-registered charity with a clear vision: to achieve social, cultural, and economic prosperity for First Peoples. FNE is deeply committed to this vision and works to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through expert advice, advocacy, and genuine lived experience. FNE works in economic policy, analysis, research, monitoring, and evaluation and collects, uses, and shares datasets in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the principles of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDS).
FNE’s commitment to using accurate, culturally informed, and actionable data in their decision making processes positions them as an exemplary partner for WDS, which similarly promotes best practices and the use of reliable data to inform decisions. Moreover, both organizations value culturally informed data to support indigenous communities. FNE became an associate member of WDS in June 2026.
29 Jun 2026 | Member Highlights
EarthScope Consortium is a global community of employees, scientists, scholars, and educators whose goal is to advance understanding of the Earth and its physical systems by democratizing access to geophysical instrumentation, observations, and practices. The organization serves as a steward of geophysical facilities, supporting long-term, fair, and open access to instrumentation, observations, and established practices. Collaboration is emphasized within a broad community, with employees encouraged to find solutions through trust, teamwork, and communication.
EarthScope is well suited for partnership with WDS as both organizations value the importance of open access to the scientific community and strive to increase open access when possible. The democratization of access to geophysical instrumentation, observations, and practices through open access to their data repository shows their commitment to open science and further illustrates the value in their partnering with WDS. EarthScope Consortium became a candidate member of WDS in June 2026.
2 Jun 2026 | Member Highlights
The Environmental Information Data Centre (EIDC) is the United Kingdom’s national data center for terrestrial and freshwater sciences and accepts environmental data in re-usable formats for curation, including long-term storage and public dissemination. They assist researchers in ensuring that the data they produce are curated appropriately for the long-term, guaranteeing their security, accessibility, and re-usability for the user community. Additionally, they provide advice on best practice for data management during a project’s lifetime and assistance in depositing data with the EIDC for long-term curation.
EIDC’s commitment to long-term data preservation and data reusability aligns well with the WDS mission. Their continued efforts to accept and manage data that is accessible and reusable, as well as their goal of long-term curation for acquired data, make them an excellent fit for WDS. EIDC became a regular member of WDS in October 2019.
2 Jun 2026 | Member Highlights
DataCite is a global organization that provides Persistent Identifiers (PIDs) to research data, other research outputs, and resources, such as samples, preprints, software, etc. DataCite offers organizations in the research community the opportunity to register PID metadata to their research outputs and resources, which allows them to become discoverable. The metadata associated with the outputs and resources are then made available to the community, which helps strengthen the research ecosystem.
DataCite is a strong partner for WDS, as both organizations are actively working to promote open science and increase the adoption of PIDs among researchers and organizations. By providing PIDs and allowing PID metadata to be registered by organizations, DataCite is strengthening the research community through data findability and research connections, which correlates well with WDS’ mission. DataCite became an associate member of WDS in September 2014.
