1. Richard Lane, Natural History Museum, London Science Collections International An international coordinating mechanism OECD Global Science Forum, April 2009, Paris

2. Photo National Ice Core Labratory, USGS Photo J. Hicks, U.S. Geological Survey Millenium seed bank Kew Herbarium, NHM London Marine Zoology, NHM London

3. Scientific Collections – key points Selected & Structured samples of the world Vouchers / samples : repeatable, verifiable can be re-examined with new tools (cf observations) Reference system of existing information Source of new knowledge and ideas Can be arrayed, distributed infrastructure

4. Collections are Part of our Scientific Infrastructure

5. Background GSF Scientific Collections initiative Proposal by Dutch delegation, GSF-14 (Feb 2006) First workshop Leiden June 2007 Second workshop Washington DC, July 2008

6. Recommendations of the 2008 Washington workshop An international coordinating mechanism for scientific collections should be created GSF should authorise follow-on activities leading to an implementation plan Specific proposal for planning activities GSF delegations should promote engagement with member countries and research communities and institutions

7. Background – GSF Scientific Collections initiative Proposal by Dutch delegation, GSF-14 (Feb 2006) First workshop Leiden June 2007 Second workshop Washington DC, July 2008 Approval GSF Oct 2008 –Planning for 18 months, governance, sustainability –Expand disciplinary and international participation Steering committee – London meeting March 2009

8. Steering Committee meeting 19-20 March 2009, Natural History Museum UK –18 participants from 11 countries –GSF, ICSU, ESF Working groups for –Strategic planning and programme of work –Outreach to scientific disciplines and countries –Governance and business planning –Funding and launch Agreed name Scientific Collections International

9. International Coordinating Mechanism Two main benefits Ensure collections are efficient and integrated infrastructures

10. International Coordinating Mechanism Two main benefits Ensure collections are efficient and integrated infrastructures –Best practice for access, management –Value for money –Connectivity

11. International Coordinating Mechanism Two main benefits Ensure collections are efficient and integrated infrastructures Enable more science to be done, especially interdisciplinary research

12. biodiversity anthropology/ archaeology earth sciences biomedicine coordinated collections & integrated research programs virtual network of collections with interoperable information resources cross-disciplinary research team Collection

13. Examples of interdisciplinary research programs using collections impact of global climate change in specific ecosystems (e.g., shallow seas / deserts / mountains) patterns of human migration changes in biodiversity, extinctions historical epidemiology, especially infectious diseases development of forensic tools movement of anthropogenic materials in the environment geological dynamics

14. International Coordinating Mechanism Two main benefits Ensure collections are efficient and integrated infrastructures Enable more science to be done, especially interdisciplinary research This will lead to the sustainabilty and development of collections

15. Timeline and Milestones July 2009: –draft strategic plan –draft governance/business plan –outreach brochure Sept. 2009 Steering committee Berlin (suggestions needed) Sept/Oct 2009: interdisciplinary research workshop Jan 2010: research conference: collections and users –Extends scientific scope, widens participation –Partners Apr 2010: final report to GSF Jan 2011: SCIcoll launch event

16. October 2009 GSF meeting Governance Model for consideration Draft strategic / business plan Progress on scientific conference (topics, partners) Expressions of interest to host secretariat

17. Questions?