Earth Science Data Analytics/2016-12-08 Telecon
ESDA Telecon notes – 12/8/16
Known Attendees:
ESIP Host (Bruce Caron), Lindsay Barbieri, Steve Kempler, Beth Huffer, Shea Caspersen, Chung-Lin Shie
Agenda:
1. ESIP Winter Session Discussion: Bar Will Lead with screen share "Session Agenda" that we can structure & formalize as we go.
a. Shea - talk about thoughts on the intro material b. Talk about Overlap with the GeoSemantics Symposium (Beth & Bar) c. Panel Discussion During the Session: what might that look like? should we scope the ESDA group?
2. Talk about Earth Science Data Analytics education program // some thoughts on the bigger picture in ESDA Learning
Notes:
Thanks to all again for participating in a very productive telecon.
First thing we did was reviewed the highlights from our previous telecon. That is, regarding what direction to go, as we transition into the next phase of ESDA Cluster efforts, the possibilities include:
1. Examining/prototyping technical analytics solutions
2. Soliciting challenges from scientists; Connect Earth Scientists with Data Scientists
The consensus in today’s telecon is to, indeed, do both, basically, by soliciting challenges from data users, and using these challenges to examine specific technical analytics solutions. It became clear that to accomplish this, we would need to invite researchers to describe the work that requires the utilization of multiple datasets, and thus data analytics, to address their data analysis challenges.
Discussion from here focused on preparations for the ESIP Meeting ESDA Cluster Session.
Bar drew in the idea of tying in other ESIP sessions (at the January Federation Meeting) who may also be addressing challenges that require the utilization of data analytics. This makes sense… we should start with the requirements to which data analytics can be applied. A session that the ESDA Cluster can have a mutually beneficial connection to is the Informatics in Social-Environmental Systems (http://commons.esipfed.org/node/9504)
For reference, Goals of the the Informatics in Social-Environmental Systems session: (1) scope the S-E landscape: hear from people working on a variety of collaborative social-environmental systems initiatives (2) identify and synthesize key informatics challenges within S-E initiatives (3) develop or improve on a framework that incorporates informatics in S-E initiatives by drawing on ESIP knowledge and expertise (4) plan goals for S-E Informatics work after session, and situate ESIP within those goals (publication, workshops/testbed, ESIP future and collaboration with clusters, etc.)
The Informatics in Social-Environmental Systems session will have researchers invited to discuss their challenges in bringing data to decision making. A key group that may be able to employ data analytics to support their work. Perhaps we can also invite some of these guests to the ESDA Cluster session, along with our own guests that we would like to have describe data usage challenges and research data needs.
Beth also suggested that the Semantic Community Engagement Plan session (http://commons.esipfed.org/node/9545), will be engaging outside people who may be able to contribute to the ESDA Cluster discussion.
For reference the abstract for the Semantic Community Engagement Plan session: We'll discuss how to promote the adoption of semantic technologies by other ESIP and non-ESIP groups. In particular, we will try to develop a plan for promoting use of the new ontology portal. Topics for discussion will include ideas for how to train others in using the portal; how to promote portal use; governance
Thus, we all agreed that it is time to transition to bringing in in different perspectives; Different perspectives of data usage challenges surfaced by experienced data users. (This is different from past invited speakers who ‘taught’ us data analytics through descriptions of their research.)
Dan suggested having a panel where scientists can tell their ‘stories’ to Data Scientists. This was met with group consensus. Shea has some possible candidates who can be responsive Data Scientists
ACTION to Each of Us: Identify people who can contribute to better understanding the broader ranging data challenges. Provide Bar with 1 or 2 names of individuals who we can invite to our Cluster session. Please do this soon so we can have enough time to invite them. Note that potential guests who live in the Washington DC have a better chance of attending (and at less personal cost). If you know a good candidate who is already attending the ESIP meeting, please also let Bar know
ACTION, Beth and Bar: If interested, discuss potential synergy between the Semantic and ESDA groups
We also need help leading the Cluster Session. Those who will be present at the meeting are: Bar, Beth. Shea is not sure if he will be attending, and Dan, Abby, Steve ,and Tiffany will not be able to attend, but will help in the preparations (agenda planning, e-mails, phone calls, agenda review, etc.)
As part of the discussion of linking ESDA Cluster efforts with other ESIP groups, Bar suggested that there may be synergy with the Drone Cluster, who are looking at ways to link drone imagery/measurements to satellite imagery/measurements. Obviously these are two sources of heterogeneous data that together can bear much fruit, and a place where data analytics can potentially play a role. This represents another excellent application needing heterogeneous data preparation, reduction, and analysis techniques. “A data analytics problem”.
Thus, it appears we have a few options in front of us where we can apply our understanding of data analytics, and help those interested in the application. Having people who represent these applications discuss their needs with the ESDA Cluster might hopefully lead to folks at the ESDA Session to be interested in helping solve applications data challenges.
Bar ended the telecon expressing the benefits of having an ESIP Student Fellow available to support the ESDA Cluster. Bruce said he would get back with Bar on this.
Excellent telecon!
Actions:
ACTION to Each of Us: Identify people who can contribute to better understanding the broader ranging data challenges. Provide Bar with 1 or 2 names of individuals who we can invite to our Cluster session. Please do this soon so we can have enough time to invite them. Note that potential guests who live in the Washington DC have a better chance of attending (and at less personal cost). If you know a good candidate who is already attending the ESIP meeting, please also let Bar know
ACTION, Beth and Bar: If interested, discuss potential synergy between the Semantic and ESDA groups
Next Meeting:
December 8, 2016
Agenda:
1. Finalize ESIP Meeting agenda and guest speakers
2. Open Mic
