The RDA is seeking candidates for the annual TAB election, to be held in November-December 2025. TAB Terms are for three years. We encourage participation from RDA members at all stages of their careers.
The Technical Advisory Board (TAB) is an essential and crucial governance board within the Research Data Alliance (RDA), providing the organization with invaluable technical oversight, vision, guidance, and advice. A volunteer position, TAB membership is a rewarding experience, offering an opportunity to engage with colleagues worldwide and understand the activities and visions in the field of FAIR data, open research and open science.
The RDA is calling our community to action to ensure that TAB has the diversity and balance necessary to execute its tasks, specifically in the areas of geography and expertise.
Nominations will be accepted until Monday 24 November 2025 at 23:59 UTC. Please see below for more details on the position and how to apply. For additional questions related to TAB, please contact [email protected].
What does TAB do?
TAB is responsible for the technical direction of the RDA and provides technical expertise and advice to the Council, as well as helping to develop and review RDA Working and Interest Groups and Communities of Practice to promote their impact and effectiveness. Among other tasks, TAB Members:
- engage with the RDA membership and feed their ideas and TAB perspectives into RDA processes and strategies;
- evaluate proposed Communities of Practice, Working Groups and Interest Groups;
- act as liaisons to endorsed Communities of Practice, Working and Interest Groups;
- facilitate relevant communication and coordination across the various CoPs, WGs and IGs;
- work with RDA Working Groups to promote adoption and effectiveness of their Outputs; and
- provide strategic insight into the current and future direction of the RDA, and each member’s own strengths are drawn upon regularly.
Much more information is available on the TAB: What we do and how we do it page on the RDA Website.
Why are we looking for new TAB members?
The RDA conducts TAB elections on a yearly basis. At these times, a set of TAB members rotates off after their 3-year-terms come to an end. Six of the RDA TAB members’ terms are ending in 2025. Please note that current members of RDA’s Council, Secretariat, Regional Advisory Board and Organisational Advisory Board are not eligible for TAB membership.
What does TAB need?
The 2025 election to TAB will elect 6 members. 5 TAB members ending their term in 2025 are eligible for re-election.
There are balancing criteria to ensure that disciplines and regions are adequately represented.
The Regional criterion is no more than 6 but no fewer than 3 TAB members from each of:
- The Americas
- Europe and Africa
- Asia and Oceania
Regions of the remaining TAB members:
- The Americas: 4
- Europe and Africa: 4
- Asia and Oceania: 2
The additional criterion of Discipline is applied to achieve a sufficient breadth of expertise. The Discipline criterion is based on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) classification – see the sub-classifications under each category.
No more than 5 TAB members can be from any of the listed disciplines. There is no minimum number of TAB members required per discipline.
The categories and status of the disciplinary balance are:
| Disciplinary Categories | Disciplines of the Continuing TAB Members |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Sciences | 0 |
| Natural Sciences | 3 |
| Social Sciences | 2 |
| Engineering and Technology | 2 |
| Medical and Health Sciences | 1 |
| Humanities | 2 |
A more complete description of the entire TAB Election Process and application of the balancing criteria is available via the TAB RDA page.
What experience is needed?
The RDA welcomes a diverse TAB membership. You might have some years of strategic leadership and experience behind you which is part of the role, however equally important is a solid knowledge of the research data landscape, emerging global challenges and themes. Read more about the TAB Roles and Responsibilities.
Interested? Here’s how to apply!
Any current RDA member may self-nominate or be nominated by others.
Not sure if you are an RDA member? Do you have an account on our website (rd-alliance.org)? Yes? Then you’re a member! If not, sign up now!
Know someone who would be perfect for the role? Encourage them to apply!
To apply, please fill in the candidacy form here.
Each candidate must have a minimum of three (3) RDA members willing to second their nomination. Seconders must send a simple one-sentence statement to the RDA Secretariat ([email protected]) stating that they support the nomination of the candidate.
Applications and seconds are due by Monday 24 November 2025 at 23.59 UTC
For each candidate with a complete nomination package, i.e., completed candidacy form and supporting statements from 3 seconders, their statement and photo will be posted on the RDA website. Note that the seconders will not be posted.
Elections will open on 28 November 2025, and close on 17 December 2025 at 23.59 UTC. All RDA members are strongly encouraged to vote.
Still have unanswered questions?
Current TAB members will be happy to discuss the time commitments, working procedures, and other elements of TAB membership. See the current and past TAB members.
Additional information is available from the RDA Secretariat at [email protected].
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