- Output Type: Working Group Supporting Output
- Review Status: Endorsed
- Review Deadline: 2023-10-20
- Author(s): Bridget Walker
Abstract
GORC International Model WG
Group co-chairs:
Supporting Output title: The Global Open Research Commons International Model, Version 1
Authors: GORC International Model WG
Impact: The need for coordination of data infrastructure on various levels (country, continent, discipline, sector) arises from the emergence of so called “Open Science Commons” or “Data commons”, which provide a shared virtual space or platform that presents the researcher with a marketplace for data and services. Examples include the European Open Science Cloud, the Australian Research Data Commons, the African Open Science Platform, open government portals and a range of initiatives outside traditional research contexts. Coordinating across these initiatives to enable a global network of interoperable data commons is the goal. This output is intended as a guideline with suggestions for commons on how to be better prepared to join the GORC, or to become a GORC. It is not a prescriptive list and not all elements and features will be applicable to all. All items in the Model should be given careful consideration by those undertaking its implementation, deciding which elements are applicable and feasible for them; all decisions should be intentional based on the individual circumstances.
UN Sustainable Development Goals: This output contributes indirectly to all of the UN SDGs by potentially further enabling interoperability between research commons to address these very goals. More direct contributions can be identified for: “Partnerships for the Goals”, where the model is intended to increase understanding and interactions between research commons as well as other stakeholders in the research community to enable global research; “Affordable and Clean Energy”, “Good Health and Well being”, “Climate Action”, “Life Below Water”, and “Life on Land” as these areas all directly benefit from increased interoperability between research teams internationally and often depend on efficient globally-oriented research and access to research artefacts; and “Quality Education” through the model’s call for sustainability of knowledge, engagement with the research community, and specifically the development, maintenance, and growth of human capacity in the research community through training and education.
DOI: 10.15497/RDA00099
Citation: Woodford, C. J., Treloar, A., Leggott, M., Payne, K., Jones, S., Lopez Albacete, J., Madalli, D., Genova, F., Dharmawardena, K., Chibhira, N., Åkerström, W., Macneil, R., Nurnberger, A., Pfeiffenberger, H., Tanifuji, M., Zhang, Q., Jones, N., Sesink, L., & Wood-Charlson, E. (2023). The Global Open Research Commons International Model, Version 1 (Version 1). Research Data Alliance. https://doi.org/10.15497/RDA00099
Abstract:
In response to the global movement to implement national and cross-national or global commons, a Research Data Alliance (RDA) Interest Group was formed to work towards a community-developed typology for describing research commons. This Interest Group created a Working Group to develop an International Model describing the attributes of Global Open Research Commons. The RDA Global Open Research Commons (GORC) International Model (IM) v. 1.0 is presented here as a spreadsheet. The accompanying report is a narrative document that provides background information about the initiative, describes its intent and intended audience, the method used to create it, and its structure and content. It also provides brief descriptions of communities and activities that have proposed to, or are currently, utilising the model in different contexts, as well as next steps for work in this area. It is important to recognise that the model is aspirational in nature and not prescriptive, drawing on existing good practice and promoting inclusive approaches.
The GORC IM Working Group (WG) consolidated a large range of resources and expert feedback to generate the model, which consists of a number of elements, with associated categories, subcategories, attributes and features, to be considered when undertaking the development of a commons of any kind, at any stage. Although the categories, subcategories, attributes and features are marked as core, desirable or optional, the model does not mandate what should be implemented, or in what way; the decisions on what is relevant, and where resources should be invested will vary depending on the environment and priorities of the implementer. The model is already being used in several contexts that are adapting and testing the model in real world situations. In some cases, the work is being used in the development of commons, while in other cases it is being utilised in other research infrastructure projects.
While the work supports the development of individual commons, it also supports the work necessary to make the commons interoperable. The GORC IM WG outputs provide a firm foundation for the GORC IG as it seeks to create a roadmap for commons integration. They provide a firm, yet flexible, foundation for creating a set of recommendations and a roadmap for building the GORC. The realised vision of GORC will provide frictionless access to all research artefacts including, but not limited to: data, publications, software and compute resources; and metadata, vocabulary, and identification services to everyone, everywhere, at all times. This is the environment that will allow the research community to focus on their enquiries and respond accordingly. It is an audacious goal and we believe that this model will advance our collective efforts in that direction.Note that the report accompanying the model can be found on its own output page: https://doi.org/10.15497/RDA00097
Community comments may also be left in the online document: model
- Group Technology focus: Data (Output) Management Planning