3 April 2025

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 of their activities.

We invite all WDS members to submit their contributions for the forum. Please submit a three-to-five-minute video or oral presentation including your organization’s vision or main priorities for 2025-2027, opportunities and challenges in realizing this vision or priorities, and how WDS can assist in realizing these goals or addressing the issues. Membership participation helps WDS meet the four objectives in the updated Action Plan by highlighting what they are engaging within their communities and sharing ways we can engage in activities.

Please email wds-ipo@utk.edu to submit your reports (video or oral presentation) and questions for the session. For more information, visit our website. The deadline for submissions is 24 September 2025.

Registration is FREE and required for participation in the WDS Members’ Forum

The World Data System (WDS) Policy Series reviews country-specific policies related to the governance of scientific data repositories at the national level. Documenting these policies comprehensively is critical to fostering global collaborations and advancing science for the common good.

This webinar is the first of its series, and it features experts from Argentina, Colombia, and El Salvador. Our expert panel will discuss their unique perspectives on Open Science Policies and how they impact data repositories in each one of their home countries. These sessions aim to inform researchers and policymakers on how to navigate international policy landscapes effectively.

In developing this Policy Series and consequent webinars, WDS’s goal is to create avenues for sharing knowledge and enhancing global scientific collaboration efforts around data repositories. Ultimately, we hope this approach will promote transparency and ensure that science continues to work towards the common good by leveraging international expertise.

Note: The webinar will be presented in Spanish with a bilingual moderator, and translated captions will be available. The event recording and presentation slides will be available on our webinar archive page after the session.

Date: 10 April 2025

Time: 13:00-14:00 EDT

La Serie de Políticas del World Data System (WDS) revisa las políticas específicas de cada país relacionadas con la gobernanza de los repositorios de datos científicos a nivel nacional. Documentar estas políticas de manera integral es fundamental para fomentar colaboraciones globales y avanzar en la ciencia para el bien común.

Este seminario web es el primero de su serie, y cuenta con expertos de Argentina, Colombia y El Salvador. Nuestro panel de expertos discutirá sus perspectivas únicas sobre las Políticas de Ciencia Abierta y cómo estas impactan los repositorios de datos en cada uno de sus países de origen. Estas sesiones tienen como objetivo informar a investigadores y responsables políticos sobre cómo navegar eficazmente en los paisajes políticos internacionales.

Al desarrollar esta Serie de Políticas de Ciencia Abierta y los seminarios web consecuentes, el objetivo del WDS es crear vías para compartir conocimientos y mejorar los esfuerzos de colaboración científica global. En última instancia, esperamos que este enfoque promueva la transparencia y asegure que la ciencia continúe trabajando hacia el bien común aprovechando la experiencia internacional.

Nota: El seminario web se presentará en español con un moderador bilingüe, y se dispondrá de subtítulos traducidos.

Fecha: 10 April 2025 

Hora: 13:00-14:00 EDT / 17:00-18:00 UTC 

WDS would like to congratulate ITO Associate Director, Reyna Jenkyns, for being selected to join the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) Multi-Stakeholder Working Group on Data Governance at All Levels.  The Working Group on Data Governance (WG-DG) is tasked with facilitating a comprehensive and inclusive multi-stakeholder dialogue on data governance at various levels to support development.  She will be working as a representative from the technical community.

The WG will report on its progress to the United Nations General Assembly, including on follow-up recommendations towards equitable and interoperable data governance arrangements, which may include:

Congratulations again to Reyna for this wonderful opportunity to participate in the WG on Data Governance. We look forward to sharing more highlights as the work continues.

WDS-IPO Project Manager, Daniela Santos Oliveira, received the Tenopir-King Research Excellence Award in recognition of research excellence by Research Innovation Center (RIC) Employees at the University of Tennessee.

Each year RIC presents two Tenopir-King Research Excellence Awards. They are presented to honor Dr. Carol Tenopir, Chancellor’s Professor Emerita and retired member of the School of Information Sciences faculty who is world renowned for her research about scholarly communication and Donald King, Dr. Tenopir’s long-time research partner, who also was a member of CCI’s Board of Visitors. 

Daniela has continually contributed to the WDS by supporting long-term relationships with colleagues from 10 countries in Central and Latin America. Her thorough attention to detail, ability to overcome language barriers, and consistent communication with partners have been pivotal in the success of workshops and the achievement of two key goals in the WDS Action Plan. Daniela's also worked on the development of the WDS Webinar Series on International Repository-related Policies. Congratulations to Daniela for receiving this prestigious award!

Do not miss your chance to present your work at the top scientific conference on the frontiers of data in research: SciDataCon25! 

We invite session proposals as well as abstracts for presentations and posters at International Data Week's SciDataCon 2025: Data for Positive Change taking place 13-16 October in Brisbane, Australia. 

The deadline for proposals for sessions and individual presentations is 23:59 AEST (Brisbane timezone)/12:59 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) on Tuesday 15 April 2025. The deadline for posters is 23:59 AEST/12:59 UTC on Thursday 15 May 2025. 

There are less than 2 weeks left to submit abstracts for sessions, presentations, or posters. To submit an abstract, you should sign up and create an account in the SciDataCon conference system.

Deadline Extended to Enter the Koala Competition for a Chance to Win Free IDW2025 Registration

We can’t wait to welcome you to Brisbane, but before you visit,  we want to see the IDW 2025 koala in your home country! Take a picture of yourself with a koala in front of a famous landmark or even just your favorite spot in your hometown or home country.

You will go into the drawing to win one of two complimentary full registrations to IDW 2025. One of the winners will be chosen by the IDW 2025 Organizing Committee and the other will be a People’s Choice Award, both will be awarded in early 2025. The shortlisted entries will be featured in a future ezine where delegates will be able to vote for our People’s Choice Winner.

Learn more about how to enter here.

Submission deadline: 11 April 2025 at 9 AM AEDT

On 20 March, WDS presented the “2025-2027 World Data System Action Plan Webinar.” The event provided an overview of strategic initiatives and key objectives for our efforts over the next three years.

Visit the Webinar Archive page to watch the recording and view the published slides from WDS leadership.

Click on the logos to learn more about our members, the Inter-University Upper Atmosphere Global Observation NETwork and the International Space Environment Service.

Alyssa Foote, ITO Research Associate, will be attending P24 to support her involvement in the RDA Health Data Commons Global Open Research Commons Working Group and the RDA Building Immune Digital Twins Working Group.

Open FDO Workshops

April Workshop: The Fair Digital Objects Forum (FDOF) will be hosting a workshop for researchers in the field of solid earth science to consider future perspectives of data infrastructure development. Two European Plate Observing System (EPOS) experts will discuss the many practical challenges that need to be overcome when integrating data from so many data providers and sub communities to offer an integrated dataspace in the domain of solid earth science and some services for researchers. Their presentation will give insight about the challenges experienced research infrastructure builders are faced with. 

Date: 7 April 2025 

Time:  13:00-15:00 UTC 

May Workshop: FDOF will be hosting a May workshop on the challenges that researchers face when building an integrated data space across many disciplines and service centers in Norway. The event will facilitate data sharing and reuse to benefit researchers around the world. The country wide approach in harmonization in Norway is an excellent case to discuss the challenges and the solutions taken.

Date: 19 May 2025 

Time:  13:00-15:00 UTC 

How do global scholarly communicators approach policy and initiatives that affect their research infrastructures? Join WDS Member ICSTI for a webinar on 22 April to find out!  

The ICSTI Impact Forum is a virtual webinar opportunity for ICSTI members and guests. At this event, subject-matter experts offer talks on ICSTI’s current work and perspectives on global STI topics. Each meeting also includes time for open discussion with IIF speakers. The 2025 IIF topic will be Global Perspectives on Open Science: Policy Driven Research Infrastructures. Stay tuned to icsti.org and follow them on X  and LinkedIn for updates.  

Date: 22 April 2025  

Time: 8:00 UTC  

Reyna Jenkyns, ITO Associate Director, will be attending EGU25 with an invited presentation on "Advancing Open Science through Trusted Data Repository Intersections at the World Data System" in the session entitled "Collaborations, Tools and Services Towards an Integrated Research Data Infrastructure".

The IASSIST Conference committees are proud to announce that the 2025 full conference schedule is now available. On the OpenConf platform, attendees can create a personalized schedule and see the details of the various presentations and events. View the full conference schedule here.

Hosted by the University of the West of England, the IASSIST Early Bird rate for the conference is open now through 13 April 2025. The conference will engage in the past, present, and future of data services, including data management and technologies.

Dates of Event: 3-6 June 2025

Location: Bristol, United Kingdom

Reyna Jenkyns, ITO Associate Director, will be leading the WDS delegation at the 2025 GEO Global Forum. Thank you to everyone who contacted WDS about the delegation group. Details will be shared with delegates directly. To see more registration details, you will need to sign in to the GEO community here.

This workshop presents the key findings from the FAIR Implementation Support Action conducted at repositories in the Western Balkans: The Data Archive for Social Sciences in Bosnia and Herzegovina (DASS-BiH), a WDS member, and four different universities at the University of Belgrade from Serbia. Both institutions applied FAIR-IMPACT guidelines to enhance repository transparency, metadata exposure, and stakeholder trust, while facing similar regional challenges.

The workshop will showcase how the same tool was implemented across two different disciplines—social sciences and chemistry—providing comparative insights on its effectiveness. Participants will gain practical knowledge on improving FAIR compliance and repository interoperability in diverse research fields.

Date: 8 May 2025

Time: 8:00-9:00 UTC

Volunteer to be a Data or Software Expert for the upcoming Open Science & Data Help Desk to be hosted during the 2025 European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly (27 April – 2 May). The Open Science & Data Help Desk, a program of EGU, the Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP) and the American Geophysical Union (AGU), along with their respective partners, provides researchers with opportunities to engage with informatics experts in their domains. Through the Help Desk, researchers can learn about skills and techniques that help further their research and make their data and software more open and FAIR. Volunteer to participate in-person at the EGU Exhibit Hall Booth or you can support the event virtually.

Emerging professionals (current Master’s and PhD students) and early career professionals (within two years of completing a Master’s or PhD) are also encouraged to participate in a virtual, post-conference meeting to gather feedback on your experiences, insights on what support you would like from the Data Help Desk, and ideas for future improvements. By volunteering for at least one in-person session and participating in the meeting, five individuals will receive a $100 gift card.

Form Deadline: 7 April 2025

The 10th anniversary of the award-winning hackathon offers an exciting chance to collaborate and innovate. The CLARIN and DARIAH summer school will be organized as an in-person event. Participation is free to all accepted participants, and bursaries for travel and lodging are offered.

5 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits may be gained from participating in the hackathon. Save the date! 

Application Deadline: 12 April 2025 

Event Date: 14–23 May 2025 

Location: Helsinki, Finland 

UNESCO’s International Geoscience Program (IGCP) is inviting Expressions of Interest for research projects led by geoscientists based in African institutions. This initiative aligns with the current UNESCO and International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) priorities to strengthen geoscience research in Africa. In line with this plan, UNESCO and IUGS will support projects by region, starting with Africa.

Successful projects may receive up to 50,000 USD for an initial one-year period, with the possibility of renewal for up to four years. Learn more about applications and what the submission must include below.

Deadline 15 May 2025

The International Conference on Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) and Social Media Corpora for the Humanities brings together language-centered research on CMC and social media in linguistics, philologies, communication sciences, media, and social sciences with research questions from the fields of corpus and computational linguistics, language technology, text technology, and machine learning. 

Submission Deadline: 15 May 2025 

Event Date: 4–5 September 2025 

Location: Bayreuth, Germany 

The San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) is partnering with Lyrasis to pilot a Research Activity Identifier (RAiD) service for organizations in the United States. The National Science Foundation (NSF) support has helped SDSC develop North America's first RAiD registration authority and to set up the governance, agreements, and financial structure to create a sustainable service.

There is an interest form and more information here on the two-year pilot project from Lyrasis, in case readers would like to join the community list and receive further updates.

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