The project aims to advance the implementation of the FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) and to make it easier to use data for all areas of research.
The tools of the digital revolution have created unprecedented opportunities to maximize the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle the complex planetary and societal challenges. Yet capacity to do this is currently constrained by the limitations in our ability to access and combine heterogenous data within and across domains. Suboptimal data practices are a major and costly limiting factor on research: it is estimated that 80% of research expenditures are used to prepare inconsistent data for use.
Addressing these problems is crucial if we are to mobilise the increasing quantities of diverse data to understand the complex systems that are at the heart of global challenges. Data must be richly described with metadata, well-documented, transparent and usable by humans and machines so as to extract meaning from complexity.
The fundamental enabler of data-driven science is an ecosystem of resources that enable data to be FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable) for humans and machines. This ecosystem must include effective, maximally automated stewardship of data, and effective terminologies and metadata specifications.
Led by ISC Member and Affiliated Body, CODATA, this project initially started under the ISC’s previous Action Plan 2019-2021 and evolved into WorldFAIR, a global project funded by the European Commission.
At the core of the WorldFAIR project were eleven case studies, representing a wide range of sciences, communities and challenges, with global geographical coverage. The Chemistry case study was led by IUPAC, the outputs of which included a ‘cookbook’ for FAIR data and metadata in chemistry.
As well as the reports and guidance from each of the case studies and a critical review of the WorldFAIR methodology, the project produced:
Expanding and sustaining the WorldFAIR objectives and methodology, CODATA has already launched a direct continuation through the WorldFAIR+ initiative.
WorldFAIR+ will be a growing federation of projects, with parallel funding and supported by a CODATA-led coordinating mechanism with technical expertise. The initiative will focus on providing practical guidance and technical recommendations to help ensure that the data needed for interdisciplinary research is FAIR and has maximum utility. New and existing case studies will use and further refine the WorldFAIR methodology. In particular, implementation pilots will test, refine and extend the CDIF recommendations.
New funding has been secured which involves two case studies on emergencies data and three on climate adaptation. More are envisaged.
CODATA is seeking partners around the world for this initiative!
For information on how to get involved, please contact Simon Hodson, CODATA Executive Director.
CODATA (Committee on Data) is an Affiliated Body of the International Science Council and exists to promote global collaboration to advance Open Science and to improve the availability and usability of data for all areas of research.
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