CODATA International Training Workshop in Open Data for Better Science, for Researchers from Lower and Middle Income Countries

Beijing,China; 10-21 July 2017

Applications were invited from early career researchers as well as from research leaders and managers of research institutes from countries with developing or emerging economies to participate in the CODATA International Training Workshop in Open data for Better Science, Beijing, 10-21 July 2017.  Participation for successful applicants were financially supported, thanks to a grant from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

 

Workshop Objectives

In today’s data-rich world, streams of digital data are being generated from science facilities
and myriad sensors (telescopes, video cameras, traffic monitors, magnetic resonance imaging machines, and biological and chemical sensors monitoring the environment etc).  Combined with the increasing ability for large-scale storage, communication and analysis, the Data Revolution presents major opportunities for science.  The Science International Accord on ‘Open Data in a Big Data World’ highlights the most important issues to be addressed if these benefits are to be realized.  These include the Open Data imperative, the need to maintain the scientific self-correction and the ethical constraints which must be respected.  Equally important is the need for open global participation in the benefits of the Data Revolution.  Systemic capacity building and targeted training in Big Data and data science are essential if this is to be achieved in countries with emerging or developing economies.

The mission of CODATA (the Committee on Data for Science and Technology) is to strengthen international science for the benefit of society by promoting improved scientific and technical data management and use.  Building data science capacity in countries with developing and emerging economies (in part through promoting technical training in data science, in data management and in the implications of Big Data for science) is an important part of CODATA’s strategy.

This training workshop offered to engage participants with a number of facets of data science and data management in the Big Data age.  Topics included, but were not limited to, interdisciplinary applications of open research data, data intensive research, data management policies, cloud computing, visualization, analytics and data infrastructure development in the Big Data Age.

Through a mix of theoretical study, workshop and practical sessions as well as field visits, the organizers aimed to help participants develop a deeper expertise in the latest Big Data technologies for scientific discovery.

A number of activities were organized involving elite Chinese scientists, in order to promote knowledge sharing and to develop opportunities for future exchanges and collaboration.

Participants benefited from visits to a number of leading research institutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).  In these visits, participants had the opportunity to learn from the scientific approach, management expertise, knowledge development and practical application which characterize activities at CAS institutes working at the frontiers of research.  Furthermore, the program promoted interaction and exchange of knowledge between experts and participants and among participants who benefited from exchanges with colleagues from a variety of academic and national backgrounds.

Course Contents

The Training Workshop curriculum included an overview of international development in Open Data and Big Data (including the Science International Accord, the strategic Initiatives and activities of international coordinating bodies like CODATA, ICSU-WDS and RDA), the principles and practice of Open Science and research data management and curation, the principles and practice of software development and the use of research applications, the development of a range of data platforms and infrastructures, the techniques of large scale analysis, statistics, visualisation and modelling techniques, case studies and best practice of research in the Big Data Age.

Training methods and activities

The programme took a comprehensive approach, including intensive theoretical lectures, advanced seminars as well as workshops, visits and practical sessions.
 

Participants

The target participants were researchers from countries with developing or emerging economies. Applications were invited from:

1. early career researchers with an interest in data science and Big Data; and,
2. research leaders and managers of research organisations who are interested in putting on a similar short course at their institution.

The total number of participants did not exceed twenty-five.
 

Programme Language

English.  Participants should have a good command of English.
 

Participants Qualifications and Requirements For Admissions

1. Although not an absolute requirement, it will be considered an advantage in the selection process for participants to be nominated by his/her National Committee of CODATA by a CODATA Task Group, or to be otherwise involved in CODATA, ICSU-WDS or RDA activities or in an ICSU sponsored programme;
2. Applicants should be under 50 years old and meet the requirements set in ‘Participants’ above;
3. Applicants must be proficient in English reading, listening, speaking and writing and must indicate appropriate qualifications or similar to demonstrate this in their applications and/or CV;
4. Applicants agree to prepare a review paper on the development of data science, Open Science and Big Data in her/his respective country and research;
5. Applicants must pledge to observe all the laws and regulations of the P.R. China and respect local customs during the training period in China;
6. Applicants must declare that they are in good health, with no infectious disease, and physically capable to fulfil all course activities.

Training Expenses

1. The expenditure of training, international travel costs, board and lodging, local transportation for the purpose of training during the training period in China for the participants is to be funded by Chinese Academy of Sciences.
2. All the other possible expenses, such as visa fee, insurance, cost of medical care, and telephone fee during the training period will be borne by the participants
3. The program organizer will buy Personal Accident Insurance for all participants during their training.

Examination and Certificate

When the programme was completed, trainees were awarded the Certificate of Program Completion. Participants were required to write a paper and make a presentation on their own country’s system of science and technology research and development.
 

Date and Duration

The workshop took place from 10-21 July 2017.
 

Venue

Computer Network Information Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences Address: No.4, Nan 4th, Zhongguancun, Haidian District, Bejing, CHINA
 

Sponsors

The Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA); the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).