From 21 to 23 January the semi-annual conference of the project 'Digital Earth' took place at GFZ. In this project, scientists from all centres of the Helmholtz Research Field Earth and Environment work together on new approaches in data-driven research. Coordinator of 'Digital Earth' is GEOMAR - Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research in Kiel.

In 'Digital Earth', integrated data analysis sequences, so-called analysis workflows and Data Science methods ('Data Science' stands for the "extraction of knowledge from data") for the entire research field Earth and Environment are developed on the basis of exemplary questions. In addition to GFZ and GEOMAR, six other Helmholtz Centres work within this research field. The aim of the project is to develop common procedures and ‘best practices’ for handling and integrating data and results from the different research activities of the centres.

During the project meeting, for example, an interdisciplinary team working on investigating flood events presented first results in the form of analysis workflows and software. Within 'Digital Earth', a summer school for young scientists will be organized in Gummersbach, North Rhine-Westphalia at the end of September this year. It is intended to introduce the next generation of scientists to the necessity of integrating data science into the natural and environmental sciences. The next annual conference will take place in May 2020 at KIT in Karlsruhe. (ak)

Further information:

• Helmholtz Research Field Earth and Environment 
• Digital Earth Summer School