7 August 2025

The WDS Scientific Committee voted to support the Barcelona Declaration on Open Research Information, reinforcing our commitment to open science and responsible data stewardship on a global scale.  This international call to action urges research communities, institutions, and organizations to make all scientific outputs openly available, reusable, and actionable by default.  

You can view the list of signatories, which are organizations that perform, fund, or evaluate research as well as the supporters, where WDS fits, which are organizations that provide data, services, and infrastructure on the Declaration’s website. 

To show our engagement, WDS’s Meredith Goins is serving on Working Group 5 – Sustaining infrastructures, to continue the discussion and gathering of information and examples to highlight medium- and long-term sustainability of infrastructure. Learn more about the Declaration’s working groups here. 

Visit the WDS website to see all SC approved endorsements of international movements that pertain to data repositories.  

The WDS Members’ Forum will take place leading up to IDW 2025 on Sunday, 12 October, both online and in person in Brisbane, Australia, from 13:00-17:00 AEST. The event will be hybrid, but we strongly encourage your physical attendance for networking and engagement. 

The WDS Members’ Forum is an opportunity for the WDS community to report on their specific developments, activities, and progress, as well as to discuss the strategic and organizational objectives of the WDS. The forum will consist of a Scientific and a Plenary Session, where members will have the opportunity to report on their activities, engage with other members, discuss membership issues, and provide feedback. The WDS Bylaws require that ALL WDS members participate in the forum with a report on their activities. 

The Research Data Alliance facilitation of Targeted International Working Groups for EOSC-related Research solutions (RDA TIGER) has opened a second call for travel grants to support participation at IDW 2025 who are members of RDA Working Groups. 

Up to €1,500 per grant is available for travel support for members (from eligible countries) of RDA Working Groups travelling to Brisbane for IDW 2025 to contribute significantly to their Working Group session. Please note that this grant cannot be used for virtual attendance to IDW.   

Application closes 31 August, 23:59 CEST. 

The CoreTrustSeal Board is still seeking input for proposed changes to the requirements to take effect in 2026-2028.  CTS values its community members' opinions and feels the process of updating these trustworthy data repository requirements will be most successful with as much community participation as possible.  

The community is built around a Peer-to-Peer review process. This helps each other protect their data assets for future generations by challenging each other to be the best repositories they can be. CTS knows that the ever-changing landscape everyone works in requires periodic review of the requirements and procedures.  

The CoreTrustSeal Board appreciates your time and effort in completing this survey and providing valuable feedback on the CoreTrustSeal Requirements. The Board will not individually respond to each survey but will make every effort to reflect every response in the revisions of the Requirements.  

The estimated duration of this questionnaire is 20 minutes and will remain active until 15 August 2025.  

Progress and outcomes will be shared in the coming months.  

If you missed Reyna Broadhurst, nee Jenkyns', keynote talk on 13 May 2025 on ESIP’s AI Readiness Checklist given during the recent RDA-Microsoft Roundtables, you now can read all about it! RDA has released a white paper on this topic as well as another on quantum computing, both authored by Shalini Kurapati, PhD. See the citations below to access and read more! 

→ Kurapati, S., Hanahoe, H., Collinson, M., Clare, C., Chiang, R., & Allison, R. (2025). RDA and Microsoft White Paper: Data Readiness and Data-Centric AI. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.15497/RDA00134 

→ Kurapati, S., Hanahoe, H., Collinson, M., Clare, C., Chiang, R., & Allison, R. (2025). RDA and Microsoft White Paper: From HPC to Quantum - Shaping the Future of Research Computing. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.15497/RDA00135  

There's still time to register for the World Data System (WDS) Asia-Oceania Conference 2025, taking place in Beijing, China, 8-12 September. The Asia-Oceania (A&O) region plays an important role in multi-disciplinary data collection, storage, management, mining, stewardship, and even knowledge discovery in the world. The WDS China Group, the WDS community of Japan, and other stakeholders in the A&O region are dedicated to establishing an open-data network in the A&O region through collaboration.

This event is organized by the WDS China Group, hosted by the Institute of Geographical Science and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research (ITP), CAS.

The theme of the conference is “Open Data Governance and Collaborative Network” with seven sessions:

New registration deadline: 15 August 2025

Event: 8-12 September 2025

The Arab Council for the Social Sciences (ACSS) is a regional, independent, non-profit organization committed to strengthening social science research and knowledge production across the Arab Region. By supporting both researchers and academic institutions, ACSS fosters the creation, dissemination, validation, and utilization of high-quality social science research. Its mission emphasizes enriching public debate on key societal challenges, informing policy, and enhancing the role of social sciences in public life throughout the region. 

As a member of the World Data System (WDS), ACSS plays a vital role in promoting open, collaborative, and rigorous social science research. The Council’s objectives—such as building research capacity, encouraging independent inquiry, providing forums for scholarly exchange, and supporting wide dissemination of research—align closely with WDS’s mission to advance data sharing and best practices globally. Through its commitment to academic freedom, critical thinking, and networking among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, ACSS helps strengthen the infrastructure for responsible data stewardship and knowledge exchange within the WDS community. They have been an Associate member of the World Data System since 2017. 

PARADISEC (Pacific and Regional Archive for Digital Sources in Endangered Cultures) is an internationally recognized facility dedicated to the digital preservation and access of endangered cultural materials from around the world. As a consortium of the Universities of Sydney, Melbourne, and the Australian National University, PARADISEC provides robust frameworks for accessioning, cataloguing, digitizing, and securely archiving audio, text, and visual materials, particularly focusing on field recordings and materials at risk of being lost, such as tapes from the 1950s and 1960s. A key motivation for PARADISEC is ensuring that these valuable recordings are accessible not only to researchers, but also to the communities and descendants of those recorded; this commitment is demonstrated through initiatives to return copies of recordings to local institutions across the Pacific region. 

As a member of the World Data System (WDS), PARADISEC exemplifies best practices in digital stewardship and responsible data sharing. The organization’s adoption of international standards for digital preservation, distributed operational model, and focus on community access align closely with WDS’s mission to promote open, reliable, and equitable access to data worldwide. By making endangered linguistic and cultural resources available for current and future generations, PARADISEC strengthens global research infrastructure and supports the WDS vision of advancing collaborative data management for the benefit of all. They have been a Regular member of the World Data System since 2020.  

Last chance to register for the Fifth International Conference on Digital Data Processing (DDP 2025) taking place 18-20 August 2025, at the University of Bedfordshire in Luton, United Kingdom. Organized with IEEE Publications and offering both virtual and physical participation, this conference is a key opportunity for professionals in data science, computing, and related fields. 

Registration deadline: 10 August 2025 

The International Council for Scientific and Technical Information (ICSTI) is hosting its 2025 Annual Conference and General Assembly in Zurich, Switzerland, on 18-19 September. 

This year's conference workshops follow the theme of “Bridging Open Science Ethics and Infrastructure” and are free and open to all.

Requests for formal invitations should be sent to addie.cox@icsti.org. 

Registration is now open for the 2026 Charleston Conference Asia, to be held at the Royal Orchid Sheraton in Bangkok, Thailand, 26-28 January 2026. The deadline for submissions remains Friday, 15 August 2025. Learn more on their website. 

Early bird registration ends 10 October 2025 

The ACM/IEEE-CS Joint Conference on Digital Libraries (JCDL) 2025 will be held 15-19 December 2025 as a fully virtual event to allow for broad international participation while fostering live interaction. JCDL serves as an international forum for research and practice in digital libraries, connecting professionals from computer science, information science, librarianship, archival and museum studies, and various other fields including technology, medicine, social sciences, law, and the humanities. 

The program will feature workshops, tutorials, panels, a doctoral consortium, and multiple opportunities to present contributions such as posters, system demonstrations, and resources highlighting datasets, software, and collections of interest to the community. Participation is open to individuals from academia, government, industry, and other sectors, reflecting the broad and interdisciplinary nature of the digital library community. 

Guidelines and format requirements are available on their website. Topics of interest for submissions include: 

Important Dates  

The 12th Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Open Science Conference will take place in Oslo, Norway, from 10–14 August 2026, hosted by the Norwegian Polar Institute. This event will feature an exciting interdisciplinary program with plenary lectures, parallel sessions, mini-symposia, workshops, panel discussions, posters, and social activities. 

You are invited to express your interest in proposing or convening new parallel sessions, mini-symposia, workshops, and other events. This is a unique opportunity to share your expertise, propose innovative ideas, and connect with the Antarctic research community. Proposals are welcome from all fields within Antarctic science, especially those that encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration. 

Deadline for submissions: 31 August 2025 

For questions or further information, please contact: osc@scar.org  

Applications for the Cracking Open Unconference to be held 16 October 2025, at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, close 8 August with successful applicants receiving full registration details by 15 August.  This free event is open to library professionals, academic researchers and support staff, and graduate students from any institution. See the website for further details.  

The Open Science Collaborative of Library and Information Professionals (OSCLIP) will also host an in-person meeting the very next day on 17 October 2025. OSCLIP is a group of library and information professionals with a shared interest and passion to advance open science. The group held its virtual kick off meeting on 19 May 2025 with 90+ participants from 60 institutions joining.  

The British Academy Writing Workshops program offers funding to support researchers in the humanities and social sciences from developing countries. These workshops aim to enhance academic writing skills, foster international collaboration, and improve the chances of publication in peer-reviewed journals. 

Eligible applicants can apply for grants to organize workshops that bring together early-career researchers, mentors, and editors to share expertise and build capacity. The program is designed to strengthen research networks and contribute to global knowledge exchange. 

Application deadline: 17 September 2025 

The 3rd FAIR Digital Objects Conference will unite experts from science, industry, and policy to discuss the global impact of FAIR Digital Objects (FDOs). The event will focus on integrating FDOs with dataspace technologies, exploring the STAP Principles, and highlighting successful demonstrations of interoperability across implementations. 

The conference will feature a mix of invited presentations, panels, posters, and demonstrators. It will be associated with a day of tutorials and a newcomer session. The organizers are seeking contributions that do one of the following: 

Submission deadline: 15 September 2025 

The 9th World Conference on Research Integrity (WCRI) will take place from 3-6 May 2026, in Vancouver, Canada, providing an international forum for advancing responsible research practices. Recognized for its global reach and commitment to diversity, WCRI brings together participants from all disciplines, career stages, and sectors—including academia, research institutes, funders, publishers, and government—to discuss and advance responsible research practices in an inclusive, international setting. 

This year’s conference will spotlight three key themes: artificial intelligence, research security, and Indigenous Knowledge systems. Sessions will explore how AI can both strengthen research quality and integrity, such as by detecting misconduct, and introduce new challenges like facilitating fraudulent research or introducing ethical risks through bias. In addition, the program will feature discussions on Indigenous perspectives in research integrity and offer opportunities for early-career professionals to engage through doctoral forums, workshops, and meet-the-expert sessions. 

Known for producing influential policy statements, such as the Singapore Statement, the Hong Kong Principles, and the Cape Town Statement, WCRI 2026 promises a lively, interactive environment that blends research findings, policy development, and practical insights.  

Abstract submission deadline: 15 October 2025 

The Turkish Academy of Sciences is hosting the International Conference on iNCLUSION in the Heritage Sector, taking place 10 January 2026 at Boğaziçi University in Istanbul. This event brings together participants from a wide range of fields to explore how cultural heritage can be made more accessible and inclusive, addressing the persistent barriers faced by people with disabilities—such as the 30% of heritage sites, 25% of cultural venues, and 40% of cultural websites in the EU that remain inaccessible. With sessions highlighting the latest in digital transformation, the conference aims to foster collaboration and share innovative solutions for a more inclusive future. Academics, policymakers, cultural professionals, digital innovators, disability organizations, educators, and all those interested in inclusive heritage are encouraged to join this important exchange of ideas and practical strategies. 

Topics for submissions include but are not limited to: 

Submission deadline: 15 October 2025 

The Belmont Forum has launched a new Collaborative Research Action (CRA): Ocean 2.  Ocean 2 supports transdisciplinary research addressing global ocean challenges and contributes to the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. By bringing together people from different fields, this initiative encourages teamwork and new ideas to tackle ocean challenges—from conserving marine life to understanding how the ocean, climate, and biodiversity are connected.  

Projects are expected to last 36 months and involve research consortia with participants from multiple countries and disciplines, including societal partners. Proposals should focus on at least one of three key areas: 

Registration and proposal submission deadline: 5 March 2026 

The European Research Council (ERC) has announced the 2025 Advanced Grant (AdG) call (ERC-2025-AdG), a funding opportunity designed for established, leading principal investigators (PIs) who wish to pursue groundbreaking, high-risk research projects. The grants support research in any field and are carried out in public or private research organizations located in EU Member States or Associated Countries. The evaluation process is based solely on the criterion of excellence, assessing both the quality of the research proposal and the PI's track record. 

For detailed information on eligibility criteria, application procedures, and evaluation processes, please refer to the official ERC Advanced Grant 2025 Call. The deadline is 28 August 2025. 

The Open Research Community Accelerator (ORCA) and Academic Data Science Alliance (ADSA) have come together to create a working group to study values-based assessment for data science faculty. Current academic evaluation systems for hiring, tenure, and promotion rely heavily on misaligned traditional metrics that fail to capture essential open science practices. This Working Group focuses on developing tools for open science values-based assessment of data science faculty. Building on an existing values-based assessment framework, participants are creating data science-specific evaluation tools that center open science practices, identify barriers to adoption, meet their local contexts, and provide exemplars for other schools. This work addresses a critical bottleneck in open science adoption by fundamentally realigning academic incentives with community values.  

To join this working group, contact micaela@academicdatascience.org  

How much do you trust climate science and its communication? The “Trust in Climate Science” project, led by Urban Futures Hub at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in collaboration with the Global Young Academy, invites you to share your thoughts. This quick survey focuses on trust in science, particularly regarding the environment and climate change.  

The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) invites experts to help shape the future of ocean observation by contributing to the development of Biology and Ecosystems Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs). This initiative aims to refine these variables to address critical questions about ocean health, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. 

Researchers, early-career scientists, and experts in fields like biology, ecology, and oceanography are encouraged to share their insights. Your input will ensure these variables are robust, globally applicable, and aligned with scientific priorities. 

There are 13 surveys available depending on your field and take approximately 30 minutes to complete. For details on how to participate, visit GOOS Ocean News. Make your mark on global ocean science! 

Survey deadline: 10 August 2025 

The International Development Research Centre of Canada’s (DRC-Canada) survey as part of a case study focused on the Venezuelan scientific diaspora is still open. Its purpose is to gather information provided by members of this diaspora, in order to make it available to international funding agencies interested in supporting scientific-academic engagement and collaboration initiatives between the scientific diaspora, their country of origin, and other Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) ecosystems in Latin America. This project takes the Venezuelan case as a reference, approaching it as a case study whose findings could be relevant and transferable to the analysis of other scientific diasporas in similar contexts. 

The survey will be open until 31 January 2026. 

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