Leaning on NSIDC’s unique strengths to respond to the changing landscape of data management
Channel: World Data System of the ISC
Date: 2020-10-16

WDS Member Organization: WDC - NSIDC

Abstract:
NSIDC began in 1976 as an analog archive and information center, the World Data Center for Glaciology. Over the past 40 years, NSIDC has evolved to manage and distribute cryosphere-related satellite, airborne and in situ data in support of research into our world’s frozen realms. Funded data management programs from NASA, NOAA and NSF, as well as the scientific research team at NSIDC all contribute to the philosophies around the best practices in data management and how cryospheric data and information are disseminated and supported. NSIDC’s strategic plan guides our near term priorities in order to meet our organization’s mission to be the authoritative data management and science center for cryospheric data and research. 
The success of NSIDC is a result of our unique strength in bringing together domain-specific data stewardship and scientific research expertise. Science interprets the data, and the data enables the science. As such, we make it a priority to ensure alignment of NSIDC’s science and data management arms.  Together these arms are attempting to respond to the ever-changing landscape now emphasizing open data and open science, as well as the expectations of the aspirational principles, like FAIR and CoreTrustSeal, in data stewardship. 
We are also focused on ensuring a robust and growing financial future. There is a recognition that competition exists for both the science researchers and our data management programs. We are committed to supporting a diversified data portfolio in order to strengthen our reputation in the community as the authoritative source of crysospheric data and information. As domain-specific data stewards, we are more than a data archive or a clearing house that only serves to store or distribute data. NSIDC offers a specific Level of Service (LoS) for every data set. 
We do face challenges in our current funding model to support the diverse and growing number of important cryospheric research data sets because they lie outside of the criteria of acceptance from our funding agencies. 
Where WDS could help, is to improve upon the definition of what makes a data center a responsible, trustworthy steward of data. For historical, domain-specific repositories, adapting to the aspirational principles is a significant challenge without the infusion of funding.  Are there ways for WDS to contribute to the funding needs of those repositories working to meet the CoreTrustSeal criteria the WDS now requires for membership? And, is there room for the measure of trustworthiness to include the value and reputation established within the targeted community?