SCADM (SCAR's Data Management Committee)

Data and information are valuable and irreplaceable resources. Proper management of data and information is not an “add-on” or an additional task; it is a fundamental aspect of modern science.

In the pursuit of various scientific objectives, it is often necessary to use data and information collected by scientists from many countries. SCAR recognizes the critical and essential importance of the stewardship of data and information within national and international programmes and its accessibility to all.

 

About

The SCAR Standing Committee on Antarctic Data Management (SCADM) helps facilitate co-operation between scientists and nations with regard to scientific data and advises on the development of the Antarctic Data Management System.

SCAR adopted a Data and Information Management Strategy (DIMS) developed by SCADM to ensure that the scientific user community has adequate access to data and information.

SCAR Data Policy

The SCAR data Policy is described in SCAR Report 42 – September 2022 – SCAR Data Policy (2022).

The conduct of science in Antarctica is the cornerstone of the Antarctic Treaty System.

Antarctic Science is:

  • Interdisciplinary
  • Multinational
  • Globally relevant
  • Complex
  • Politically important

The Antarctic Treaty (section III.1.c) says, “Scientific observations and results from Antarctica shall be exchanged and made freely available.”

SCAR and the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP) established the Joint Committee on Antarctic Data Management (JCADM) in 1997 to manage Antarctic data. In December 2008 the formal linkage with COMNAP ceased and JCADM became the Standing Committee on Antarctic Data Management from January 2009.

SCADM helps facilitate co-operation between scientists and nations with regard to scientific data. It advises on the development of the Antarctic Data Management System (formerly the Antarctic Data Directory System) and played a major role in the International Polar Year data system (IPYDIS) up to 2009.

Members of SCADM are usually managers of the National Antarctic Data Centres (NADCs) or a relevant national contact.

Overview

SCADM meets annually, with every second meeting in conjunction with the SCAR Open Science Conference and Meetings. SCADM’s responsibilities include:

  • Promotion of Antarctic data management
  • Providing guidance to the Antarctic Metadata Directory host
  • Establishing Antarctic data management policies and priorities
  • The recruitment of National Antarctic Data Centres (NADCs)
  • Encouraging scientists to submit metadata to the Antarctic Master Directory
  • Reporting to SCAR on Antarctic data management issues

SCAR provides funding to support the Antarctic Metadata Directory (AMD), hosted by the Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). The GCMD is expected to provide support to the NADCs. NADCs are funded at a national level.

History
Terms of Reference

News and Updates from the Antarctic data management community.

Members

Contact

What is a National Antarctic Data Centre?

A National Antarctic Data Centre (NADC) is a focal point for Antarctic data. Countries may establish their own National Antarctic Data Centres (NADCs), or designate an existing institution as their NADC. Some NADCs have data management policies in place. Recruitment of National Antarctic Data Centres is a key responsibility of SCADM.

Guidelines on setting up a NADC and entering metadata into the Antarctic Master Directory (AMD) are available on request.

Membership

Resources

Publications, links and data of interest to the Antarctic data community.

Publications
Data
Links