Related Pages
Information Technology Committee
2008–2010 term
Chair
Pat Wiberg, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Council Representative
Jan Sojka, Utah State University, Logan, Utah
Members
Graziella Caprarelli, University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway NSW, Australia
Laurent Meillier, Oakland, California
Laurent Montesi, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
Mark Parsons, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado
Baerbel Sarbas, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany
Richard Wagener, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York
Corresponding Member
Jen-Ping Chen, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
Staff Liason
Carter Glass
Committee Charge
The Information Technology Committee is responsible for proposing ways in which AGU can better use computer and electronic communication technology to enhance services to members and to others in the communities the Union serves. The Committee is expected to help facilitate and encourage the use of emerging technologies within our sciences and in communications among Earth and space scientists worldwide. The Committee will be guided by the long-term goals established by Council and the Union's statement of values. The Committee has an important role to play in helping assure that AGU's resources for computing and communications technology are sufficient to meet our current needs and future obligations. Special attention should also be given to the following long-term goal: "AGU is known for its world-class communication of scientific knowledge within and beyond the Earth and space science community."
The Information Technology Committee advises other committees on ways technology can be used more effectively in achieving their goals or enhancing the programs under their purview. In doing so the Committee serves in a consultant capacity and must understand that some of its suggestions may not resonate with the aims of the other committee or group. The primary focus of the Information Technology Committee is the medium and technology.
The Committee advises on how headquarters can make better use of technology both for internal operations and for external services. In this capacity the Committee advises on current and developing standards; considers the strengths and vulnerabilities of the software and hardware infrastructure; helps to anticipate steps staff can take to assure the technological resources of AGU continue to grow to meet new needs and challenges.
The Information Technology Committee may establish under its umbrella operational groups to deal with special concerns or specific activities. Presently, there is one ongoing subcommittee made up of the Section and Focus Group webmasters. This subcommittee works on ways that these individual web presences and the overall Union web presence can work together more harmoniously. One member of the Information Technology Committee attends the subcommittee discussions at each Fall Meeting.
It is anticipated that a committee on data will be established and will operate as a subcommittee of both the Publications and the Information Technology committees. The Information Technology Committee will have at least one overlapping member with the data committee and its chair will be invited to participate with ITC as appropriate.
AGU operates with the guidance of a 2-year plan adopted by the Council. The Committee is responsible for creating operational plans that will achieve the near-term objectives and then for undertaking appropriate programs and actions. The Information Technology Committee also has a specific responsibility to contribute to the Union’s strategic plan by analyzing the technological environment in which AGU will operate in the future.
Specific areas for attention by the committee during the 2008-2010 term include:
- Electronic publication. To maintain the strength of the publications program, AGU must continue to increase the functionality of the journals and other products delivered via electronic media. The Committee is expected to assist the Publications Committee in experimenting with new delivery methods for publications as well as to evaluate which of the new technologies would be most effective in creating ways that users may appropriately interact with the scientific literature.
- Meetings. Technology can be instrumental in enhancing the experience of meeting attendees and in improving the tools used for abstract submission and meeting planning. Difficulties with travel may necessitate more imaginative uses of technology as a substitute for face-to-face meetings– scientific meetings and Union committees. Likewise, appropriate use of technology could help broaden the numbers of members who may be able to participate in committee service.
- Web presence. In addition to using the web for a publishing platform and for supporting the meetings program, AGU has a significant web presence for members and other scientists, for press and other special communities, for the AGU leadership, and increasingly for the public. The Committee is expected to provide guidance on ways to use technology for improving how AGU delivers these other kinds of information via the web and how its effectiveness can be measured. In particular, the Committee is to look at the application of appropriate Web 2.0 technologies for strengthening AGU services.
- Publication archive. The Union has an obligation to authors and users to assure that the electronic journals, books, and other formal publications is safely archived and that the archived files are migrated to remain current with changes in technology. The Committee is expected to advise on the file formats and other standards for the archive and to maintain a continuing oversight of this key area.
- Headquarters operations. The Committee may be called upon to assist staff in evaluating and implementing ways to further enhance effectiveness and efficiencies by adopting new technologies and/or upgrading existing ones.
–July 2008