OOI Science Plan: Exciting Opportunities using OOI Data
Version 1.1
SECTION 7. Community Engagement The OOI was conceived as a community resource, as a means to provide scientists, educators, students, and others interested in the ocean with a steady stream of reliable ocean data without having to go to sea. Since its inception, the OOI has successfully built the infrastructure to collect and deliver a plethora of data via the Internet, while developing a robust effort to engage the community and encourage use of OOI data in science and in the classroom. The OOI team continually strives to optimize the OOI, build a robust, active, and inclusive community, and cultivate new users.
who might benefit from OOI data. The OOI team also makes a concerted effort to be an integral and important resource for organizations such as the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS), U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), Ocean Networks Canada (ONC), Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR), and the Integrated Ocean Discovery Program, as well as others in the data science community. To build a robust and thriving community requires participation by early career scientists who will support the OOI moving forward. The OOI actively supports a cohort of early career scientists who are working to develop a community of practice via a Slack channel community. The OOI team also strives to showcase the work of early career scientists by inviting them to present their work at Town Halls coordinated by the Ocean Observatories Initiative Facilities Board (OOIFB) and digitally sharing their findings with the OOI community. Many early career scientists have taken advantage of opportunities to be aboard OOI operation and maintenance cruises to conduct sampling that will directly advance their research, potentially supporting their career advancement. Over 160 undergraduate students have participated on OOI RCA expeditions as part of the UW VISIONS experiential at-sea learning program. In addition to first-hand learning of seagoing activities focused on the installation and recovery of OOI infrastructure, students also develop engagement and science projects focused on the OOI: some of which result in Senior Thesis projects. OOI data are ripe for inclusion in PhD theses and Research Experience for Undergraduate projects. OOI at-sea experience also is available to graduate students
Many avenues are used to engage with OOI data users and potential data users. Such community engagement begins with a digital presence. All relevant updates and information for the OOI community are posted on its website and shared on many social media channels. Tools are provided on the website, including a brand new data discovery tool, that helps users find, download, and integrate OOI data to help answer science questions. And, if and when users get stumped, the OOI has a HelpDesk, with a committed staff who will work to resolve any and all problems using OOI data. The OOI also engages with community members by being an active part of the oceanographic community. Team members from each of the implementing organizations (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, University of Washington, Oregon State University, and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey) share progress about the OOI and what is being learned from OOI data at conferences and workshops attended by many in the broader oceanographic community, as well as in their localities. By presenting seminars, webinars, and posters, the OOI team seeks to encourage discussion and collaboration with those 103
