SCAR XXX WP11iii: Joint Committee on Antarctic Data Management (JCADM) Review 2008 Popular

SCAR XXX WP11iii: Joint Committee on Antarctic Data Management (JCADM) Review 2008

Overview

Highlights:

The external review of JCADM (attached) is very positive. Significant progress has been made in the past 2 years. JCADM’s membership has increased to 31 SCAR Member nations. There has been a 20% increase in metadata datasets submitted to the Antarctic Master Directory (AMD), and downloads from the AMD have increased to from 500 per month to 3000 per month. In addition JCADM is far more engaged than it was with the scientific community, and has developed a strategic plan to paint a picture of what is possible in Antarctic data management. These are all highly commendable developments. JCADM is carrying out an essential task.

Shortcomings:

The external review points to some key shortcomings.

• SCAR needs to work more closely with operators and National Antarctic Data Centres (NADCs) to pursue adequate funding for Antarctic data management by all Members, so that all Members become effective stewards of Antarctic data - for the benefit of the entire scientific community. The Executive Director wrote to National Committees and Delegates about this by e-mail on 25/10/2006, but with little evident result.
• There is a need for JCADM to work with the AMD and operators of NADCs to improve the AMD system so that access to metadata on the AMD leads in all cases to national data sets (recognising that the disconnect is a problem not with JCADM but at the national level).
• The removal of COMNAP funds is a serious blow, and it is hoped that SCAR can make up the difference ($3300/year).
• Implementing the data and information management strategy will require resources from SCAR or elsewhere. It is suggested that SCAR Members work amongst themselves to find a person to post to the SCAR Office to work on implementing the data and information strategy.