New Scientific Committee and Chair appointed for ICSU World Data System

ICSU is pleased to announce the appointment of the new Scientific Committee (SC) of the World Data System for a three-year period commencing on 1 July 2015. Chosen by the Executive Board of the International Council for Science (ICSU), the SC includes eight new members, taking into account that at least one-third of the Committee are Directors of WDS Member Organizations. To foster geographical balance, the Executive Board also approved that a vacant thirteenth seat be made available, to be filled by someone from the Latin America and Caribbean region at a later date.

Sandy Harrison—who officially starts her first term after being appointed in May 2014—has agreed to be the new Chair of the Scientific Committee until 2017. Sandy is a Professor of Palaeoclimates and Biogeochemical Cycles, and takes over the role of Chair from Professor Bernard Minster, whose term has been exceptionally extended for one additional face-to-face meeting to enable a formal handover of the leadership. In this regard, ICSU has introduced a stagger between the appointment of the SC Chair and members to ensure continuity.

ICSU would like to thank all of the outgoing Committee members for their dedication to ICSU-WDS, especially to Michael Diepenbroek, Françoise Genova, Ruth Neilan, and Lesley Rickards, who were on the very first Scientific Committee and have been involved with WDS for the past six years.

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