Data services for global science: international body with Swiss participation

The World Data System (WDS) is a body of the International Council for Science, which represents the interests of the global scientific community. Its mission is to promote long-term stewardship of as well as universal and equitable access to quality-assured scientific data and data services, products and information in all disciplines. The WDS also aims to facilitate research by coordinating and supporting trusted scientific data services in their provision, use and preservation of datasets. To fulfil this task, it strives build global «communities of excellence» by certifying member organisations according to internationally recognised standards.

The World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS), based in Zurich and among the some 90 member organisations, compiles and disseminates standardised data on glacier fluctuations in more than 30 countries. Such data are key variables in climate system monitoring and form a basis for the modelling of possible effects of atmospheric warming.

Dr Gärtner-Roer is a science officer at the WGMS. The WGMS, the International Association of Cryospheric Sciences and the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT) supported her nomination to the Scientific Committee of the World Data System.