Science International, a joint initiative to promote strong policies for science at the global level, has launched a new website to support its global campaign to promote open access to "big data".

Science International is an initiative of four frontline world science organisations: the International Council for Science (ICSU); the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP); the International Social Science Council (ISSC); and The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries (TWAS).

In 2015, the partners developed an accord, “Open Data in a Big Data World", and are conducting a global campaign seeking endorsements from science organisations, universities, publishers, research funders and other stakeholders. Endorsements can now be registered on the new website.

“Open Data in a Big Data World" calls for open access to the volumes of publicly funded "big data" that increasingly are the basis of advanced research and policymaking. The accord proposes 12 principles to guide open access to big data. Open data is critical to assure the rigour of research findings because it provides researchers worldwide with the opportunity to replicate experiments and observations – basically revisiting and double-checking research results and verifying conclusions. For least-developed countries these principles are particularly important, because open data provides an opportunity to participate more fully in the global research enterprise.

The four partners in Science International collectively represent more than 280 national, regional and global science organizations worldwide, with individual members at the highest levels of scientific research, policy and education. Along with CODATA, ICSU’s Committee on Data, these organizations are working together within the framework of the Science International campaign.