Antarctic and Arctic Data Consortium (a2dc) Research Coordination Network: Scientific Research Support and Data Services for the Polar Community

University Of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis MN

Investigators

Abstract

The Antarctic & Arctic Data Consortium (a2dc) was established in spring 2013 as a grass-roots initiative to help improve the visibility of data resources for the polar geoscience community through a modest joint marketing effort at national meetings and on the web. Out of this self-organizing effort came the recognition that while each data facility serves a different segment of the polar community, improved coordination and better integration of our data resources would significantly benefit the broad and multi-disciplinary community engaged in polar science. Up to date, there has been little interaction or coordination between polar data facilities, yet much is to be gained by sharing experiences, technological approaches and leveraging existing solutions. The project aims at formalizing and enhancing the coordination of a2dc members through the coordination of a network that will bring the data facilities together on an annual basis. This will support new coordinated outreach to the science community to help researchers identify and use the services that are available to them and for the centers to ensure they are more effectively serving the widest possible audience, including international stakeholders.