[esip-semantictech] ESIP's Vision for the Future of Cyberinfrastructure

[Mcgibbney, Lewis J (398M)]

Hi Folks,
Whilst browsing for unrelated content, I came across the following document [0] which a few of our community members contributed towards.
Specifically, page 2 provides a very significant response to the following question “Question 1 Research Challenge(s) (maximum ~1200 words): Describe current or emerging science or engineering research challenge(s), providing context in terms of recent research activities and standing questions in the field.”

The quoted response is as follows…

“Semantic Understanding Across Communities: One of the major inhibitors of interoperability is the semantic heterogeneity of the language and concepts used within different disciplines. Language differences developed over decades as each discipline progressed on its separate path. Often the terms used gloss over the significant underlying assumptions and tacit knowledge within that discipline, concepts that are simply taken for granted within that field. As such, simply learning to communicate with researchers in other disciplines can take considerable time. These language differences make it difficult for researchers to find, assess and properly use data originated by another discipline. To facilitate transformative interdisciplinary science, interdisciplinary semantic infrastructure is needed. Ideally one day infrastructure would assess the knowledge base of each user and translate from the semantic knowledge base of the data producer to that of the user to appropriately tailor the services provided (e.g., data search, browse, assessment and access capabilities). While progress is being made in semantics through several paths including both traditional ontology development and Natural Language Process and Machine Learning techniques, the first step is to ensure that the semantic resources created for various fields are curated and maintained for the indefinite future.”

In my opinion, this would substantiate the creation of an ESIP cluster (or some sustained effort) dedicated to addressing the heterogeneity of the language and concepts used within different disciplines e.g. ESIP Vocabulary Hackers or something similar. It jumps out at me that it would be somewhat counterintuitive for a structured effort NOT to be initiated if in fact an ESIP-blessed response to a nationwide NSF RFI states that this is one of the primary issues contributing towards known ongoing research challenges!

@Ruth and @Pierre, @Gary, @Chuck, etc. the work you are all doing with SWEET and ENVO seems like the driving effort which would justify the creation of the cluster. Is there an interest or should the work be kept within SemTech?

Thanks
Lewis

[0] https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.4831627.v1

Dr. Lewis John McGibbney Ph.D., B.Sc.
Data Scientist II
Computer Science for Data Intensive Applications Group (398M)
Instrument Software and Science Data Systems Section (398)
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
California Institute of Technology
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena, California 91109-8099
Mail Stop : 158-256C
Tel:  (+1) (818)-393-7402
Cell: (+1) (626)-487-3476
Fax:  (+1) (818)-393-1190
Email: lewis.j.mcgibbney at jpl.nasa.gov<mailto:lewis.j.mcgibbney at jpl.nasa.gov>
ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-2185-928X

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 Dare Mighty Things
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