Committee on Data of the International Science Council

The Committee on Data of the International Science Council (CODATA) is an interdisciplinary body established in 1966 under the auspices of the International Council for Science (ICSU), now integrated into the International Science Council (ISC), to foster international collaboration on the compilation, evaluation, and dissemination of reliable scientific data across all disciplines.^[1][2] CODATA's mission centers on advancing Open Science by promoting the availability, usability, and interoperability of data, with a strong emphasis on FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) to ensure data serves as a global public good for research and innovation.^[2] It addresses the challenges of the "data deluge" from modern instrumentation and digital technologies, evolving from its origins in post-World War II scientific expansion to tackle contemporary issues like data stewardship, policy development, and capacity building in data science.^[1] Key historical milestones include its formal inception as the ICSU Committee on Data for Science and Technology in 1966 and contributions to standardized values, such as the CODATA Task Group on Fundamental Physical Constants, which has periodically updated essential scientific constants since 1969.^[1][3] Organizationally, CODATA operates through an Executive Committee, standing committees, strategic initiatives, Task Groups, and Working Groups, coordinated by a Secretariat in Paris.^[2] Its activities encompass policy advocacy for open data, support for events like International Data Week (co-organized with the World Data System and Research Data Alliance), publication of the Data Science Journal, and initiatives in areas such as data ethics, digital readiness, and cross-disciplinary data integration.^[2] Current leadership includes President Mercè Crosas (serving 2023–2027, the first woman in this role), Vice-Presidents Richard Hartshorn and Daisy Selematsela, Secretary General Christine Kirkpatrick, and Treasurer Steven McEachern, with an Executive Committee comprising experts from diverse global institutions.^[4] Through these efforts, CODATA continues to shape global data practices, enhancing scientific collaboration and societal impact.^[2]

History

Establishment in 1966

The Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) was established in 1966 by the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) during its General Assembly held in Bombay, India.^[5] This initiative addressed the rapid expansion of scientific research and the resulting proliferation of data, necessitating international coordination for its effective management.^[1] CODATA's original mandate focused on promoting the worldwide compilation, evaluation, and dissemination of reliable numerical data across scientific and technological disciplines to support advancing knowledge and interdisciplinary collaboration.^[6] The organization's first meeting took place in June 1966 in Paris, France.^[7] This event marked a pivotal moment, bringing together representatives from national academies, scientific unions, and related bodies to formalize CODATA's operational framework and prioritize global data-sharing mechanisms.^[5] Among CODATA's early achievements were the development of foundational guidelines for the publication and evaluation of scientific data, ensuring consistency and reliability in data reporting.^[5] Concurrently, initial task forces were created targeting pressing data needs, including those on fundamental physical constants, key values for thermodynamics, and chemical kinetics, which laid the groundwork for standardized data resources.^[5]

Evolution and affiliation with ISC

Following its establishment, CODATA experienced steady growth throughout the 1970s and beyond, marked by the relocation of its central office to Paris in 1974, which provided a stable base for operations after an earlier base in Frankfurt.^[8] This period saw membership expand from six initial national members to 16 nations by 1980, with biennial international conferences fostering collaboration on data challenges across scientific disciplines, including early expansions into geosciences and biosciences.^[8] By the 1980s and 1990s, membership further increased to 28 nations, and activities broadened to emphasize data interoperability and electronic dissemination, culminating in the launch of the open-access Data Science Journal in 2001 to promote global data sharing.^[8] A comprehensive overview of CODATA's first four decades was documented in the 2012 publication CODATA@45 Years: The Story of the ICSU Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) from 1966 to 2010, which highlighted these achievements in building international networks and addressing emerging data needs amid advancing information technologies.^[1] The book underscored CODATA's role in convening over 600 participants at conferences by the mid-2000s and initiating programs to bridge the digital divide, particularly in regions like Africa.^[8] In 2018, CODATA's organizational landscape shifted significantly with the merger of its parent body, the International Council for Science (ICSU), and the International Social Science Council (ISSC) to form the International Science Council (ISC), positioning CODATA as one of ISC's inaugural interdisciplinary committees.^[9] This integration expanded CODATA's scope to encompass social sciences and humanities data, reflecting a unified voice for natural and social sciences in data stewardship.^[2] While retaining the CODATA acronym, its full title was updated to the Committee on Data of the International Science Council to align with this new affiliation.^[10] Post-2018, CODATA has intensified its focus on digital data stewardship in response to the global explosion of data volumes driven by the digital revolution, emphasizing FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles and capacity-building initiatives to support open science across disciplines.^[2] Continuing its foundational work, CODATA's Task Group on Fundamental Physical Constants released the 2022 adjustment of recommended values, incorporating data up to December 2022.^[11] This growth includes collaborative programs on data integration for global challenges and enhanced training through events like International Data Week, enabling broader interdisciplinary applications amid rapidly evolving data landscapes.^[2]

Mission and Principles

Core Objectives

The Committee on Data of the International Science Council (CODATA) has as its primary objective to strengthen international science for the benefit of society by promoting improved scientific and technical data management and use. This mission emphasizes enhancing the availability, usability, and integrity of data to advance research outcomes globally.^[7] CODATA's scope encompasses all areas of research, including the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and technology, ensuring that data challenges are addressed comprehensively across diverse fields. By focusing on the intelligent management of research data, CODATA supports interdisciplinary integration and innovation without limiting its efforts to specific domains.^[2] To achieve these aims, CODATA fosters global collaboration through partnerships among countries, disciplines, and sectors, enabling the collective tackling of data-related issues such as interoperability and accessibility. This collaborative approach encourages the exchange of best practices and resources to build a more connected scientific community.^[2][7] Furthermore, CODATA exerts policy influence by developing international guidelines and standards on data access, sharing, and long-term preservation, which underpin reliable scientific progress. These policies aim to create equitable frameworks that facilitate data-driven discoveries while respecting ethical considerations. As a supporting framework, CODATA aligns its efforts with principles like FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) to promote effective data stewardship.^[2][7]

Commitment to FAIR and Open Data

The Committee on Data of the International Science Council (CODATA) endorses the FAIR data principles—Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable—as a cornerstone of effective data stewardship, having actively promoted their adoption since 2017 through dedicated task groups, workshops, and strategic initiatives.^[12] These principles, originally outlined in 2016, emphasize machine-actionable data to facilitate discovery, access, and reuse across disciplines, and CODATA has coordinated efforts such as the FAIR Data Training Working Group to build capacity in data stewardship.^[13] By integrating FAIR into projects like WorldFAIR, CODATA provides technical guidance to ensure interdisciplinary data meets these standards, enhancing reproducibility and collaboration in global research.^[14] In parallel, CODATA advocates for open data as a means to accelerate scientific progress, supporting unrestricted access to publicly funded research outputs where feasible, while incorporating ethical safeguards for sensitive information such as personal privacy or national security concerns.^[15] This stance aligns with broader open science movements, where CODATA emphasizes transparency and inclusivity to maximize societal benefits from data, as seen in its endorsement of the Enabling FAIR Data Commitment Statement for Earth, space, and environmental sciences.^[15] Central to CODATA's work are key documents that operationalize these commitments, including the UNESCO-CODATA Toolkit on Data Policies for Times of Crisis Facilitated by Open Science, launched in 2025, which offers practical tools like factsheets and checklists to apply FAIR and open principles during emergencies.^[16] Earlier contributions include updates to data management guidelines through initiatives like the 2017-2019 International Data Policy Committee efforts, which evolved into comprehensive roadmaps for global open science.^[17] These resources build on foundational advocacy, such as CODATA's role in shaping the 2021 UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science.^[18] CODATA's promotion of FAIR and open data has shaped policies in major international bodies, guiding UNESCO's implementation of open science frameworks that prioritize equitable data sharing.^[19] CODATA has also collaborated with the OECD through projects like the Global Science Forum initiative on sustainable business models for data repositories, which address ethical access and long-term sustainability.^[20] Through such influences, CODATA fosters harmonized global standards that support evidence-based decision-making in areas like climate resilience and public health.

Governance and Structure

Executive Leadership

The Executive Leadership of the Committee on Data of the International Science Council (CODATA) is provided by its Executive Committee, which manages the organization's business between General Assemblies, safeguards its mission and values, and offers strategic vision while overseeing the Secretariat.^[21] The Committee consists of key officers—including the President, up to two Vice-Presidents, the Secretary-General, and the Treasurer—along with ten Ordinary Members and co-opted members, all elected or appointed to guide CODATA's operations and international representation.^[4] Elections for these positions occur every two to three years through the General Assembly, ensuring alignment with evolving data science priorities.^[22] As of November 2025, Mercè Crosas serves as President, having assumed the role in November 2023 for a term extending through 2027; she leads the Executive Committee, sets the strategic direction, acts as the legal representative, and liaises with the International Science Council (ISC) on behalf of CODATA.^[23] The Vice-Presidents, Richard Hartshorn (New Zealand) and Daisy Selematsela (South Africa), support the President in implementing strategy, ensuring governance compliance, and focusing on membership recruitment and event coordination, with their terms running through 2027.^[4] Christine Kirkpatrick (USA) holds the position of Secretary-General, re-elected in October 2025 for a term through 2029; she oversees operational and governance matters, organizes General Assemblies and Executive Committee meetings, directs the Secretariat, and conducts the annual review of the Executive Director.^[4] Similarly, Steven McEachern (Australia) was re-elected as Treasurer in 2025 for a term ending in 2029, providing financial oversight, preparing the annual budget, and reporting on finances at General Assemblies in collaboration with the Executive Director.^[4][21] The 2025 elections, held during the 34th General Assembly in Brisbane, Australia, on October 17-18, also filled ten Ordinary Member positions for the 2025-2027 term with: Jeremy Frey (nominated by the United Kingdom), Leo Lahti (Finland), Pam Maras (nominated by IUPsyS), Audrey Masizana (Botswana), Lauren Maxwell (Germany, RDA), Yasuyuki Minamiyama (Japan), Mark A. Musen (USA), Francisca Oladipo (GO FAIR Foundation), Rodrigo Roa (Chile), and Cyrus Walther.^[24][4] Collectively, the Executive Leadership oversees CODATA's strategic direction, represents the organization internationally, manages its budget, and fosters partnerships to advance global data standards and practices.^[21]

Committees, Task Groups, and Working Groups

CODATA's operational structure includes standing committees, task groups, and working groups that support its mission by addressing specific aspects of data management, policy, and interoperability. These bodies operate under the oversight of the Executive Committee and contribute to strategic priorities such as open data, data science, and capacity building.^[2] Standing committees provide ongoing oversight in key areas, including data stewardship and policy development. For instance, the International Data Policy Committee (IDPC) serves as the primary mechanism for advancing effective data policies at international and national levels, offering guidance on issues like open science and data governance during crises.^[25][26] Task groups are time-limited collaborations, typically lasting 2–3 years, comprising scientists, researchers, and data experts focused on advancing solutions to specific data challenges. These groups are proposed through an open call and rigorously evaluated against CODATA's strategic priorities before approval. Examples of current task groups, approved or renewed at the 34th CODATA General Assembly in October 2025, include:

• The Data Ethics Task Group (DETG), which advises CODATA on ethical issues in data use, such as privacy and trust in global data practices.^[27]
• The FAIR Data for Disaster Risk Research (FAIR-DRR) task group, which works to align and open disaster risk data to enhance resilience outcomes worldwide.^[28]
• The Digital Representation of Units of Measurement (DRUM) task group, which develops shared standards for presenting, interpreting, and converting units in digital contexts to improve data interoperability across domains.^[29]
• The CODATA-WDS Task Group on Citizen-Generated Data for the SDGs, which supports the integration of citizen-generated data into monitoring frameworks for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.^[30]

Additionally, the Fundamental Physical Constants Task Group has operated as a standing initiative since 2016, periodically compiling recommended values for use in scientific and technological applications.^[11][31] Working groups facilitate ongoing collaborations on persistent data issues, often evolving from task groups or strategic needs, with durations up to 2 years but potential for extension into broader initiatives. Current examples include the Research Data Management Terminology (RDMT) Working Group, which standardizes vocabulary for research data management to promote consistency in data practices, and the Global Open Science Cloud (GOSC) Working Groups, which advance infrastructure for open science data sharing.^[32][33][34] Proposals for new or renewed task groups and working groups are submitted via biennial calls, with approval occurring at CODATA General Assemblies; the 34th Assembly in October 2025 endorsed eight task groups for 2025–2027.^[35][36]

Activities and Initiatives

Conferences and Events

The Committee on Data of the International Science Council (CODATA) organizes several key conferences and events to advance discussions on data science, stewardship, and open data practices. Among these, SciDataCon stands as a biennial conference focused on the frontiers of data in research, emphasizing innovations in open data sharing and integration for global sustainability. Launched in 2014 in New Delhi, India, SciDataCon brings together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers through thematic sessions, research papers, and practice-oriented presentations to explore emerging challenges and solutions in data management. The latest edition was integrated into International Data Week 2025.^[37][38] A flagship event is the International Data Week (IDW), co-organized by CODATA, the World Data System (WDS), and the Research Data Alliance (RDA) since its inception in 2016. Held biennially, IDW integrates SciDataCon with RDA Plenary Meetings, featuring plenary sessions, specialized workshops, and collaborative meetings that foster global data infrastructure and interoperability. Past editions include the inaugural event in Denver, USA (2016, with 840 attendees), Gaborone, Botswana (2018, over 850 attendees), Seoul, Republic of Korea (2022, 827 hybrid attendees), and Salzburg, Austria (2023, hybrid format combining in-person and virtual participation from approximately 800 global representatives). IDW 2025 was held from 13–16 October in Brisbane, Australia, with 807 participants (704 onsite and 103 online) from 75 countries, highlighting data-driven advancements in science.^{[39][40][41][42]} CODATA's biennial General Assemblies provide a governance-focused forum, convened at least every two years to review progress, elect officers, and approve task groups and strategic initiatives. These assemblies, attended by national delegates, union representatives, and task group leaders, often coincide with major conferences for enhanced networking. Recent examples include the 33rd General Assembly on 27–28 October 2023 in Salzburg, Austria, following IDW 2023, and the 34th on 17–18 October 2025 in Brisbane, Australia (hybrid format, with online participation on the first day only), where operational and financial reports were endorsed, key officers were re-elected, and eight new task groups for 2025–2027 were approved. Post-COVID, CODATA events have increasingly adopted hybrid formats to broaden accessibility and participation.^[43][44][35]

Collaborative Programs

The Committee on Data of the International Science Council (CODATA) engages in extensive partnerships with international organizations to advance data practices and open science globally. As an interdisciplinary body under the International Science Council (ISC), CODATA collaborates closely with the ISC to align data initiatives with broader scientific goals, including joint efforts on open science implementation and policy development. Key alliances include the Data Together partnership, which unites CODATA with the Research Data Alliance (RDA), GO FAIR, and the World Data System (WDS) to foster cooperation among open science platforms, enhance data interoperability, and promote shared standards for global data infrastructure.^[45][46] A prominent collaboration is with UNESCO, exemplified by the 2025 launch of resources in the UNESCO Open Science Toolkit for cross-border crisis data management, developed through the joint UNESCO-CODATA Data Policy for Times of Crisis Facilitated by Open Science (DPTC) project. This initiative provides guidance and tools to support adaptable data policies during emergencies, emphasizing open science principles to ensure effective, ethical data sharing across borders.^[18][17] Through such partnerships, CODATA contributes to global data policies, including symposia on implementing the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science to address challenges like sustainability and crisis response.^[47] CODATA's capacity-building programs target developing countries by delivering training on data skills, such as the CODATA-RDA Schools of Research Data Science, which offer summer school-style curricula to early-career researchers and repository professionals on data management, analysis, and stewardship. These efforts include international workshops on scientific data management and big data for sustainable development, equipping participants with practical tools to improve local research infrastructure.^[48][49] Additionally, CODATA supports UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through data initiatives, such as task forces promoting citizen-generated data for disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and guides for using participatory mapping data to monitor environmental changes aligned with SDG indicators.^[50][30] These programs enhance data accessibility and usability in low-resource settings, fostering equitable contributions to global sustainability efforts.^[51]

Outputs and Contributions

Publications and Reports

The Committee on Data of the International Science Council (CODATA) produces a range of scholarly and policy-oriented publications that advance data science, open data principles, and international data management practices. Central to its outputs is the Data Science Journal, a peer-reviewed, open-access electronic journal dedicated to the management, dissemination, use, and reuse of research data across scientific disciplines.^[52] Launched by CODATA in 2002, the journal was relaunched in 2014 in partnership with Ubiquity Press to enhance its reach and sustainability, and it marked its 20th anniversary in 2022. It publishes various article types, including research articles, practice papers, review articles, and essays, with a focus on FAIR data implementation, open data policies, and interdisciplinary data reuse in fields such as computational sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The journal's ISSN is 1683-1470, and it emphasizes practical advancements in data systems, legal frameworks, and ethical considerations for data sharing. The journal also occasionally features articles on CODATA's recommended data standards, such as evaluations of fundamental physical constants.^[52][53] CODATA issues annual Achievements reports that provide concise overviews of its yearly activities, major contributions, collaborations, and strategic plans in promoting global data stewardship. These accessible documents highlight key milestones, such as the progression of FAIR implementation projects and international partnerships, with examples including the 2023 report on WorldFAIR initiatives and preparations for future data policy forums, the 2022 summary of global data festivals and capacity-building efforts, and the 2021 overview of pandemic-related data responses. Earlier annual highlights, such as those from 2012 detailing conference outcomes and cross-organizational collaborations, underscore CODATA's ongoing impact on data-driven science.^[54][55] In addition, CODATA's policy reports offer authoritative guidance on data governance, open science, and crisis management, often developed in collaboration with international bodies. Notable examples include the 2025 UNESCO-CODATA Data Policy for Times of Crisis Toolkit, which provides factsheets, guidance, and checklists for improving data policies during emergencies through open science approaches; the 2024 WorldFAIR Policy Brief on semantic interoperability for FAIR data; and the 2019 Beijing Declaration on Research Data, advocating for equitable global data access and sustainability. These reports address pressing challenges like legal frameworks for data repositories and policy strategies for interdisciplinary research.^[56] A significant historical publication is CODATA@45Years: The Story of the ICSU Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) from 1966 to 2010, a 2011 book authored by David R. Lide and Gordon H. Wood that chronicles CODATA's foundational role in establishing international data standards and fostering scientific collaboration over its first four decades.^[1]

Recommended Data Standards

The CODATA Task Group on Fundamental Physical Constants (TGFC), established in 1969, is responsible for producing internationally recommended values of basic physical constants and conversion factors through a rigorous least-squares adjustment process conducted every four years.^[11] This adjustment incorporates the latest global experimental data from diverse fields such as particle physics, atomic and molecular spectroscopy, and metrology to derive self-consistent values with associated uncertainties.^[57] The process ensures that the recommended constants are mutually consistent and serve as a foundational reference for scientific computations worldwide. The first set of CODATA-recommended values was published in 1973, marking the beginning of a standardized approach to these constants.^[58] Subsequent adjustments have followed approximately every four years, with the most recent—the 2022 evaluation—published in April 2025 as a special issue of Reviews of Modern Physics and detailed in NIST Special Publication 961.^[59][60] These publications provide not only the adjusted values (e.g., for the Planck constant, speed of light, and elementary charge) but also comprehensive analyses of input data, covariance matrices, and derived quantities like conversion factors between SI units.^[61] The impact of these recommendations extends to foundational advancements in metrology, notably supporting the 2019 redefinition of the International System of Units (SI), which fixed exact values for constants like the Planck constant and Boltzmann constant to anchor the definitions of base units such as the kilogram and kelvin.^[62] The next adjustment, incorporating data through December 31, 2026, is expected to be published around 2027.^[63] Beyond fundamental constants, CODATA contributes to other data standards through initiatives like the Digital Representation of Units of Measurement (DRUM) Task Group, which develops guidelines for machine-readable encodings of units to enhance interoperability in scientific data systems.^[29]