We at the EGI Foundation are pleased to announce the appointment of two of our colleagues to key roles within the newly formed EOSC Association Task Forces. Diego Scardaci, EGI’s Technical Solution Team Lead, has been named co-chair of the EOSC Technical and Semantic Interoperability Task Force, while our Data Solutions Architect Ville Tenhunen has joined the Health Data Task Force as a key contributor. These Task Forces, along with the EOSC Opportunity Area Expert Groups, are central to the strategic initiatives of EOSC, involving hundreds of expert volunteers who develop and implement EOSC strategies.
Following the conclusion of the initial two-year mandate of the original EOSC-A Task Forces in December 2023, a review by the EOSC-A Board of Directors led to the creation of new Task Forces. Over 200 applications were received in response to an open call for members. This summer, the new Task Forces began their work, drawing on the expertise of representatives like Diego and Ville from the EGI Foundation to advance the EOSC's Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA).
EOSC Technical and Semantic Interoperability Task Force
The EOSC Technical and Semantic Interoperability Task Force aims to ensure seamless access to high-quality research outputs and services throughout the EOSC, leveraging expertise on the technical foundations that link users with data and services. The Task Force engages with EOSC projects, the EOSC EU Node, European Research and e-Infrastructures, and the wider community. It is organised into three subgroups: Technical Interoperability, Semantic Interoperability, and Authentication and Authorisation Infrastructure.
Co-chaired by Diego Scardaci (responsible for the Technical Interoperability subgroup), alongside Jiří Marek from Masaryk University (Semantic subgroup) and Christos Kanellopoulos from GÉANT (AAI subgroup), the Task Force aligns with several SRIA strategic objectives and Multi-Annual Roadmap priorities, such as liaising with Horizon Europe projects, developing AAI in EOSC, and enhancing the EOSC Interoperability Framework. Diego is also currently coordinating the EOSC Beyond project and contributing to EOSC Procurement.
“Joining this Task Force presents a unique opportunity to drive advancements in interoperability that will significantly impact research and collaboration across Europe. As co-chair, I look forward to sharing EGI's extensive experience in achieving technical interoperability within large distributed infrastructures with other EOSC stakeholders. Additionally, I will gain valuable insights into user needs through the diverse research communities represented in the Task Force. These requirements will help guide the ongoing evolution of EGI services within the EOSC," said Diego, reflecting on his new role.
Health Data Task Force
The Health Data Task Force is dedicated to the interoperability, sharing, and reuse of health data and services across the European Health Data Space (EHDS) and other related EOSC activities, in adherence to FAIR principles. Its primary aim is to shape the EOSC strategy for utilising health data in research, ensuring compliance with special requirements, regulations, and ethical and legal standards for fair and safe data access and processing.
Ville Tenhunen, joins this Task Force and brings his extensive expertise in data solutions to contribute to its objectives. The Task Force, co-chaired by Lene Krøl Andersen from Computerome, DTU, and Petr Holub from BBMRI-ERIC & Masaryk University, also aims to enhance interoperability with the European Health Data Space for secondary use infrastructure through common service and format identification in the EOSC Nodes arena.
“Health data is moving beyond traditional silos and becoming part of the FAIR data family. The interoperability between EOSC and the European Health Data Space presents opportunities for reusing health data, emphasising a user-driven approach. Health data management is crucial for sensitive data management because it involves numerous rules and best practices. These practices can also be applied to projects not specifically focused on health data.” commented Ville.
The Health Data Task Force's objective to define the EOSC strategy aligns with the EGI Federation's mission to provide open solutions for advanced computing and data analytics. Health data requires the same e-infrastructure components as other research data, making this collaboration vital for research and innovation.
The other Task Forces
The new EOSC Task Forces also include the FAIR Metrics and Digital Objects Task Force, which focuses on advancing FAIR data federation by extending traditional FAIR metrics to assess data and repository suitability for federation. Additionally, the Long-Term Data Retention Task Force works to establish criteria and decision-making processes essential for the retention and care of digital objects within federated research infrastructures, ensuring the ongoing success of the EOSC.
We congratulate Diego and Ville on their appointments and look forward to their contributions to advancing the EOSC mission and fostering a robust Open Science environment in Europe.