Collaborative Knowledge in Scientific Research Networks

Research inherently requires collaborative efforts between individuals, databases, and institutions. However, the systems that enable such interpersonal cooperation must be properly suited in facilitating such efforts to avoid impeding productivity. Collaborative Knowledge in Scientific Research Networks addresses the various systems in place for collaborative e-research and how these practices serve to enhance the quality of research across disciplines. Covering new networks available through social media as well as traditional methods such as mailing lists and forums, this publication considers various scientific disciplines and their individual needs. Theorists of collaborative scientific work, technology developers, researchers, and funding agency officials will find this book valuable in exploring and understanding the process of scientific collaboration.

Paolo Diviacco is a geophysicist at Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale (OGS). He holds a PhD in exploration geophysics, and has 20 years of experience in seismic data processing. He maintained always an interest in computer science and programming, developing software in the field of geophysics and Web-based data management. At the same time, he has always been interested in the philosophical and sociological aspects of scientific production in general and in the geo-sciences in particular. He has been active in developing ideas and Web-based systems that could support scientists while collaborating and foster the collaborative attitude among research institutions. In this context, he worked within several international projects, such as, for example, FP7 ODIP, FP7 Geo-Seas, FP7 Emodnet, FP7 Eurofleets, and the Antarctic Seismic Data Library.

Peter Fox is Tetherless World Constellation Chair, Professor of Earth and Environmental Science, Computer Science and Cognitive Science, and Director of the Information Technology and Web Science Program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Fox has a BSc (hons) and PhD in Applied Mathematics (Physics and Computer Science) from Monash University. His research covers the fields of ocean and environmental informatics, computational and computer science, semantic data frameworks, and solar and solar-terrestrial physics. The results are applied to large-scale distributed data science investigations. Fox is President of the Federation of Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP), chair of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics Union Commission on Data and Information, and serves on the editorial boards of many prominent Earth and space science informatics journals. In 2012, Fox was awarded the European Geoscience Union, Ian McHarg/Earth and Space Science Informatics Medal, and ESIP's Martha Maiden Lifetime Achievement award for service to the Earth Sciences Information communities.

Cyril Pshenichny is the Geognosis Project leader and an Assistant Professor at the Department of Computer System Design and Security, ITMO University.