At GEOMAR, we subsume a variety of activities, driving the digitalization of marine research, under the keyword “digital science”. These activities address the needs and developments of the research divisions as well as the central technology, computing, and data infrastructures. GEOMAR is establishing strategies and institutional structures to facilitate a collaborative and holistic management of the digitalization process. This page and the following figure summarize the current state of the art of various activities of GEOMAR in the context of digitalization in marine science.

Digital science structures

Digital Council

Internal panel coordinating GEOMAR’s activities and participation opportunities and structural consequences in digital science. Examples for institutional activities of the digital council include the innovation of the infrastructure for high-performance modelling and the establishment of data science support for GEOMAR. Further information is available on the internal pages.

Data Science Unit

The Data Science Unit (DSU) of GEOMAR develops Data Science methods for marine research and applies them together with the researchers to the heterogeneous data of GEOMAR and its partner institutes. The DSU offers support and training on Data Science methods to researchers at GEOMAR and serves as a partner in applying for external funding for Data Science projects as well as for the publication of scientific results based on Data Science methods.

IRF Digital Twins

Digital Twins, as interactive, 4D visualizations will bundle and provide access to sensor data and simulations to explore “what if” scenarios.

Knowledge Hubs

GEOMAR Knowledge Hubs pool expertise from digital science fields at GEOMAR to capture, share, exchange and discuss experiences. Currently, there are Knowledge Hubs at GEOMAR on Underwater Imaging, DevOps (Software Development), Marine Robotics and Scientific Computing Knowledge. More information is available on the internal pages.

Digital Science Initiatives

... by and with GEOMAR:

• MarDATA – Helmholtz School for Marine Data Science
• Helmholtz Metadata Collaboration (HMC)
• ARCHES – Development of heterogeneous, autonomous and interconnected robotic systems for environmental monitoring of the oceans over technical crisis intervention to the exploration of the solar system
• HGF RF E&E DATA HUB - DataHub Tools 
• HMC Hub E&E – HMC hub to promote the qualitative enrichment of data of the HGF research area Earth and Environment by means of metadata
• HMC Training – Design of different training courses  for the scientific community to introduce and support the implementation of the metadata tools developed in HMC
• DAM Underway Data – Initiative of the German Alliance for Marine Research for the systematic collection, transfer to land, quality assurance and publication of "en route" research data of the vessels MARIA S. MERIAN, METEOR, POLARSTERN and SONNE
• MOSES – Modular Observation Solutions for Earth Systems
• ARENA2 – Artificial Research Environment for Networked Analysis

Select past digital science projects:

• ESM – Advanced Earth System Modelling Capacity: a Contribution to solving Grand Challenges
• DIGITAL EARTH – Towards Smart Monitoring and Integrated Data Exploration of the Earth System

... of the Helmholtz association:

The Information & Data Science Incubator was established in 2016 by the Helmholtz Association to advance pioneering research in data science and to bring together the expertise of the Helmholtz Centers. It promotes the development of innovative technologies and identifies key issues that contribute to strengthening Germany's leading position in international science. Around 40 top-tier digital experts from fields such as software architecture, big data, and AI regularly collaborate to develop groundbreaking projects and research partnerships.

To date, the incubator has initiated more than 100 projects and research collaborations. Additionally, the Helmholtz Centers, following the incubator's recommendations, have established five high-tech platforms that continuously develop new digital solutions for cutting-edge research. These projects and platforms together form the Helmholtz Information & Data Science Framework:

• Helmholtz Metadata Collaboration (HMC):
  Coordinated at GEOMAR, HMC addresses the increasing demands for research data documentation and accessibility, ensuring that data remains accessible and usable over time.
   
• Helmholtz AI
   An AI platform that fosters the development and implementation of AI solutions, supporting collaboration and providing access to resources and expertise across the Helmholtz network.
   
• Helmholtz Information & Data Science Academy (HIDA):
  A unifying element for the Helmholtz Information & Data Science Schools, offering programs for PhD candidates and postdocs.
   
• Helmholtz Imaging:
  Provides consulting and cutting-edge technologies for capturing, processing, and analyzing image data in research.
   
• Helmholtz Federated IT Services (HIFIS):
  Provides a modern IT infrastructure that supports collaboration and knowledge exchange among Helmholtz research centers.

Digital science events

Hacky Hour

The GEOMAR (open) Hacky Hour is meant for discussing programming and data-analysis problems of all kinds, in all programming languages, and of all sorts of complexity. The recurring event aims at bringing together students, scientists and developers of all levels, and at providing a frequent way of learning from each other with the lowest possible barriers. The event is open to everyone interested from GEOMAR and associated organisations (collaborating institutes, graduate schools, etc.). More information is available here.

Digital Science Monday

Monday afternoons are reserved for discussions of digital topics. Current methods, project proposals, technical innovations and initiatives at GEOMAR as well as in the Helmholtz Association and beyond are presented to Team GEOMAR and beyond. The DSMonday series is run together with the MarData school. Further information such as slides and recordings of past discussions are available on the internal pages.

Data Science Symposium

The series of Data Science Symposia is a joint initiative by the three Helmholtz Centers GEOMAR, AWI und Hereon. It features digital scientific workflows, Big Data challenges, data infrastructures, data science methods and more across disciplines and technologies. The Data Science Symposia foster knowledge exchange and collaboration among the marine research community of the Helmholtz association. More information is available on the intranet.