The existing networks for collecting, storing and distributing data in many areas of science are inadequate and not designed to enable the inter-disciplinary research that is necessary to meet major global challenges. These networks must be transformed into a new inter-operable data system and extended around the world and across all areas of science. The General Assembly of the International Council for Science (ICSU) agreed today to take the first strategic steps to establish such a system....
[A] large amount of valuable scientific data remains inaccessible. Over 50 years ago, ICSU established networks of data centres and services to provide full and open access to scientific data and products for the global community. But the world has changed enormously in 50 years, most notably with advances in technology, and it is time for the existing structures to be integrated into a new expanded system —a World Data System....
Ray Harris, chair of the expert Committee that produced the report said, ‘Data is the lifeblood of science and there are many exciting developments, which mean that access to scientific data both for science and for policy making should be much easier....’
The report and more information on the General Assembly are available [here].
PS: There are many links on the page to which the press release refers us. I can find the info on the general assembly but not the report. If anyone has a deep link to the report, please drop me a line.
Update (10/27/08). Andrew Treloar believes this is the report ICSU had in mind, even though it's dated June 2008. Sections 3.2 and 5.3 cover the world data system, although the document covers many other topics as well.
Update (10/27/08). Also see the article in Research Information.
Posted by
Peter Suber at 10/26/2008 03:16:00 PM.
The open access movement:
Putting peer-reviewed scientific and scholarly literature
on the internet. Making it available free of charge and
free of most copyright and licensing restrictions.
Removing the barriers to serious research.
I recommend the OA tracking project (OATP) as the best way to stay on top of new OA developments. You can read the OATP feed on a blog-like web page or subscribe to it by RSS, email, or Twitter. You can also help build the feed by tagging new developments you encounter.
