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About LIFES

VISION

Global, FAIR and Equitable Science and Innovation as the new normal

MISSION

Support the development of an Internet of FAIR data & services

Working Principles

Within the LIFES community we adhere to the following principles:​

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  • Commitment to the FAIR Principles - LIFES supports the FAIR Principles as a foundation for improving digital resource interoperability and machine-actionability, emphasizing globally consistent and robust implementations guided by expert community interpretations.

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  • As open as possible, as restricted as necessary - While openness is encouraged, LIFES acknowledges the need for controlled access to data and services due to privacy, proprietary, and security concerns, ensuring both humans and machines understand usage conditions.

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  • As distributed as possible, as centralized as necessary - LIFES promotes distributed systems for greater security, inclusivity, and privacy, aiming to create an equitable ecosystem that avoids centralization and empowers data owners with control.

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  • Follow the ‘hourglass’ approach: maximum freedom to implement - By standardizing only the core (FAIR Digital Objects), the hourglass model ensures maximum freedom in how data is produced and analyzed, fostering innovation and flexibility.

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  • Prevent single points of failure, or provider lock-in - LIFES opposes monopolistic control over data services, advocating for equitable, resilient systems that avoid vendor lock-in and ensure fair access across communities.

Organisation

LIFES is an association under Dutch law. It is organised as follows: 

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  • General Assembly (GA) - The GA is the governing body of the association. It consists of representatives of the Founding Members of LIFES.

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  • Board - The Board is the legal representation of the association and responsible for all its activities. The Board is accountable to the GA.

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  • Executive Team - The Executive Team organises and manages all activities in LIFES.

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  • Networking Members Council (NMC) - The NMC has an advisory capacity to the Board. All Networking Members are a member of the NMC. 

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  • Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) - The SAB offers expert advice to guide and inform the scientific direction of LIFES

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