The World Data System is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to its Scientific Committee (SC), whose terms began on 1 July 2024. Join us in sending them a warm welcome and best wishes as they start their new roles. The nomination and selection process highlighted our commitment to maintaining high standards within our governing body while promoting diversity, inclusivity, and global representation within WDS.

Thank you for voting and considering the proceedings as an opportunity to make a significant impact on the future direction of global scientific data management and practice. The complete voting process allowed our community to participate in shaping our leadership and ensured that all SC members continue to not only be highly capable and accomplished but also receive approval from both the WDS membership at large and the ISC board. If you would like to know more about the voting process, click here.

Visit the updated Scientific Committee page here.

Follow WDS on social media for future updates.

World Data System (WDS) is pleased to announce the signing of the Joint Statement on Research Data (joint statement) from the International Association of Scientific, Technical & Medical Publishers (STM), DataCite, and Crossref on making research data easier to find, link to, re-use and cite. WDS joins these organizations in recognizing the role of research data in expanding open science and research integrity. WDS aims to inspire its membership and fellow researchers with this endorsement and promotion of the joint statement to further develop appropriate data collection and stewardship methods.

Along with the endorsement, WDS is excited to invite you to the Joint Statement on Research Data Webinar. Join us to hear WDS, STM, Crossref, and DataCite discuss the endorsement of the joint statement and what it means for connections within data infrastructure. Learn more about the history of the research data statement and its role in enhancing research assessment. Our speakers, Helena Cousijn (DataCite), Martyn Rittman (Crossref), and Hylke Koers (STM) will talk about why it is important to endorse the statement and other assessment recommendations. There will be a Q&A and discussion to conclude the webinar. Whether you are a researcher, publisher, or research organization, the webinar will offer great insight into each role in data and open research infrastructure. We look forward to seeing you there! A recording of the webinar will be made available. Register for the joint statement webinar here.

Full Document: Press Release Update

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. 

WDS is excited to announce a new endorsement of the Open Climate Campaign.

 World Data System, 4 April 2024 — World Data System is proud to join international organizations and open access advocates to endorse and promote the Open Climate Campaign. To make open sharing of research outputs the norm in climate science, Creative Commons, SPARC, and EIFL launched a 4-year Open Climate Campaign in August 2022 with funding from Arcadia, which built on planning funds from the Open Society Foundations. Climate change, and the resulting harm to our global biodiversity, is one of the world’s most pressing challenges. While the existence of climate change and the resulting loss of biodiversity is certain, knowledge and data about these global challenges and the possible solutions, mitigations, and actions to tackle them were too often not publicly accessible.

The WDS, alongside many researchers, governments, and global environmental organizations recognizes the importance of sharing research openly to accelerate progress in combating climate change through facilitating effective knowledge sharing and collaboration across disciplinary and geographic borders.

This global Open Climate Campaign is currently operating under the following goals:

• Bring attention to the issue of access to knowledge on climate change and biodiversity.
• Work directly with national governments, funders and environmental organizations to create open access policies and make it easier to share their climate change content.
• Identify, engage and contribute to draft international frameworks to include open access policy recommendations.
• Identify important existing climate and biodiversity research publications not already open access and help them move to open access where possible. We will also explore tactics to facilitate changes in publisher actions to ensure climate and biodiversity research is open access.
• Engage with researchers, universities and policy makers in traditionally excluded geographical regions to ensure inclusive outcomes throughout.

One way of contributing is to encourage our members and partners to participate in the campaign when the opportunity arises. Make sure to share with WDS if you engage so we can also highlight your efforts. WDS will also contribute by sharing information on the Open Climate Campaign on social media and also host at least one webinar per year on data and the Open Climate Campaign on how to identify progressive actions in climate conversations. If you have suggestions on upcoming topics or events, please contact wds-ipo@utk.edu.

To learn more about the Open Climate Campaign or to connect, please visit the Open Climate Campaign website. We encourage members to subscribe to the campaign newsletter for future updates here.

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.