Interdisciplinary Collaboration

1
Interdisciplinary Collaboration Application
Issues

• CONTEXT
• CODATA plan of action (WSIS)
• The Americas
• Environmental data access
• Collaboration, cooperation, coordination,
  integration
• The four questions
• Challenges
• Existing resources and opportunities
• Potential projects
• Ways to implement

2
Challenges / barriers

• Publishing and getting credit for data
• Only paper has value
• Difference between R and D
• We (those working in the field) have the power to
  change this
• Younger researchers need fast turnaround in
  publishing
• Harlan Unsrud example of how to support deposit
  of data a possibile solution
• How to manage quality? Referees?

3
Challenges / Barriers

• Lack of national data policies
• Digital divide
• How to make data and policy information available
• Scientists involvement in policy and events such
  as WSIS is low

4
Implementation Strategies

• Need to keep projects small
• Local trends to decentralize projects
• Municipalities can use funding directly
• Technology costs are falling
• Connectivity relatively inexpensive
• Can give local people tools and skills

5
Potential Projects / Implementation

• Data Policy
• Individual and regional participation in ISO
  standards e.g., ISO 9001
• Review WSIS plan of action
• Circulate the action plan to participants
• Individuals write down relevant existing and
  possible projects
• Organize a small local group to make a proposal
• CODATA and ICSU can facilitate implementation