AuScope signs MoU with Europe’s EPOS ERIC

AuScope and EPOS ERIC hold a vision of a global research infrastructure for geoscience. Image: EPOS ERIC

A joint vision of a global research infrastructure for geoscience sits at the heart of an exciting new memorandum of understanding (MoU) between AuScope and the European Plate Observing System, known as EPOS ERIC. Over the next three years, our parties will share knowledge, foster strategies to enhance user experience, and develop open data practices, all with the aim of enhancing research impact globally.

MoU overview

The AuScope-EPOS ERIC MoU, signed by AuScope CEO, Dr Tim Rawling and EPOS ERIC Executive Director, Lilli Freda on 24 January 2022, represents an exciting new step in fostering open geoscience between Australia and Europe and integrating our respective parties’ research infrastructure systems through a user-centred lens. Information and resource sharing will sit at the heart of this collaboration.

Key benefits of the MoU are: enhancing global collaborations among Research Infrastructures of FAIR data management, open science and the sharing of scientific products, fostering Computational Earth Science coherently with FAIR data management and integrating data products and services.

Lilli Freda and Dr Tim Rawling reflect on the new MoU:

EPOS ERIC Executive Director, Lilli Freda pictured in a European field location. Image: Supplied

“I am delighted that we have signed this MoU that reinforces the collaboration between research infrastructures with comparable mission and vision. We now have a more demanding shared goal, beyond geographic boundaries and our single missions. I am sure we will see the results of our work in the implementation of a cooperative framework aimed at synergic solutions to contribute in achieving a global perspective for research infrastructures in geoscience.”
—Lilli Freda, EPOS ERIC

“AuScope and EPOS ERIC are beautifully aligned large research infrastructure providers. Our projects are very similar, so there will be many opportunities to collaborate and learn from each other. I am very excited that we have this MoU in place to strengthen ongoing collaborations with a vision towards building a global research infrastructure for geoscience.”
— Dr Tim Rawling, AuScope

AuScope CEO, Dr Tim Rawling pictured exploring inland Australia near Mildura. Image: Supplied

First steps in 2022

AuScope and EPOS ERIC teams are excited to get started on this MoU in 2022. Planned activities include co-designing and -delivering a Townhall Meeting at the General Assembly of the European Geoscience Union (EGU), and conducting a series of meetings together to share implementation strategies and solutions for the sustainable operation of the two research infrastructures. This will include collaboration opportunities for respective geoscience communities to discuss technical topics of common interest.

Mapping capabilities: this visualisation show many parallels between our parties. AuScope and EPOS ERIC teams look forward to sharing knowledge about each other’s capabilities, linking their Program and Project teams up to discuss mutual challenges, and stepping toward globally open geoscience. Image: Supplied

Finally in 2022, AuScope and EPOS ERIC teams will cooperate to enhance global collaborations among research infrastructures of FAIR data management, open science and the sharing of scientific products while fostering computational geoscience coherently with FAIR data management and the integration of data products and services.

About EPOS ERIC

EPOS ERIC, the European Plate Observing System, is the European research infrastructure aimed at ensuring sustainable and universal use and re-use of multidisciplinary solid Earth science data and products fostering state-of-the-art research and innovation. EPOS ERIC brings together Earth scientists, national research infrastructures, ICT experts and decision-makers to establish and underpin sustainable and long-term access to solid Earth science data and services integrating diverse European Research Infrastructures under a common federated framework. EPOS ERIC relies on e-science innovation to foster progress in research to support a safe and sustainable society.