Steve Diggs Candidate Statement 2022
Steve Diggs, Technical Director, CCHDO - Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Candidate for Data Stewardship Chair
In my time at Scripps, I’ve been fortunate to be a part of multiple projects in oceanography and atmospheric science. These tasks required the transition from being on the observation team to combining data from multiple platforms to help researchers reveal the inner workings of our planet. To properly manage a project’s data requires that you identify with that group in a substantive way. I also learned seeking out and becoming part of a community of practice is necessary to build data systems that use proven technologies and leading practices. Eventually, I discovered that I had valuable experiences to contribute to my colleagues.
That’s how I became part of ESIP over a decade ago.
Like many of you, ESIP is now a part of me. I have been a recipient of Funding Friday award, chaired Visioneers, and served on the Executive Board. I helped start the Marine Data and Community Data Clusters. However, it is my most recent experience connecting with communities that need data expertise with geoscience data that motivated me to seek new ways to contribute to our organization.
My vision for the Data Stewardship Committee is to take on the challenge of attaining success as defined in the ESIP’s Strategic Themes for 2021-2026:
A connected, collaborative community of Earth science data professionals efficiently and effectively working together to solve the world's greatest challenges related to Earth science
We need to seek out and directly address the challenges in our communities, locally and globally. While it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, I firmly believe that ESIP can help reveal the truth about our natural world through the discovery and use of the data at our disposal.
ESIP continues to attract the best data professionals who have turned this organization into an unrivaled earth science resource. We are uniquely positioned to help make this world a better place by using the same talents and expertise that we used to create the Data Management Training Clearinghouse. We’re making data easier to assess and discover through the use of various standards, and tackling problems in the Community Resilience Cluster. Taken as a whole, ESIP is ready to combine these achievements into multifaceted resources suited to our times.
Among the many organizations that I’ve been a part of, my service includes being on the Technical Advisory Board for the Research Data Alliance, and two consecutive terms as the Co-Chair of the Southern Ocean Observing System’s Data Management Subcommittee. I’ve seen the common thread that runs through these organizations and collaboration on relevant projects can take ESIP’s successes to the rest of the world.
I would be honored to serve as Chair of the Data Stewardship Committee to continue ESIP’s mission across all collaboration areas.
