As part of the upcoming meeting of the US National Research Council Board on Research Data and Information (BRDI), which I co-chair, we are holding a symposium on the US Federal Interagency Strategic Plan for Big Data on October 23. Full details below; the symposium is free, but you do need to pre-register as described below.

Clifford Lynch

Director, CNI

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The Big Data Senior Steering Group (BDSSG) was initially formed to identify big data R&D activities across the Federal Government, offer opportunities for agency coordination, and jointly develop strategies for a national initiative. The National Big Data R&D Initiative ("the Big Data Initiative") was launched in March 2012. Since the launch, the BDSSG has held numerous meetings and workshops, including a major showcase event of dozens of partnerships that will help advance the frontiers of big data R&D across the country. Many participating federal agencies have already established new big data programs, policies and activities and plan to do more in the future. Currently, the BDSSG is drafting a framework and establishing a set of priory goals for a National Big Data R&D Strategic Plan.

 

The BDSSG is currently gathering information from multiple sectors to inform the development of an effective National Big Data R&D Strategic Plan. After the submission period ends on November 14 and the feedback is analyzed, the BDSSG will hold a workshop to further discuss and develop the input received. Additional detailed information about this Request for Information may be found at: https://www.nitrd.gov/bigdata/rfi/02102014.aspx.

 

This BRDI Symposium will be held in two sessions. The first one will have presentations by six federal government speakers, beginning with an overview and followed by more focused talks in the five strategic areas of the Big Data Initiative: technologies; knowledge to action; sustainability; education; and gateways. The second session will feature three panelists from academia and industry, who will comment on the interagency Big Data Initiative and respond to the presentations in the first session. There will be ample time for discussion with the audience as well. The Symposium will be moderated by the co-chairs of the Board on Research Data and Information, Clifford Lynch of the Coalition for Networked Information, and Francine Berman of the Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute.

 

The Symposium will be followed immediately by the presentations of the award winners of the BRDI Data and Information Challenge. There is no fee to attend, but please contact the Board director, Paul Uhlir at puhlir@nas.edu or at 1 202 334 1531, to register in advance. Additional information about both these events, including the detailed program, is available at www.nas.edu/brdi.