The ethical dimension of sharing solid Earth Science data

Abstract

Open Science is the paradigm driving the sharing of research data worldwide. It includes the ambition to make FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable) data sharing the default. FAIR guiding principles for research data have been recently proposed to scientific communities as the new horizon for sharing data. The FAIR principles create the conditions to foster data sharing and improve data stewardship, provided that several legislative, organizational, and ethical issues are addressed. In this paper, we aim to discuss the ethical dimension of sharing solid Earth science data. Earth scientists have a long-lasting tradition in data acquisition, quality control, and standardization, being the key actors in feeding and implementing metadata and services for qualification, storage, and accessibility. Pan-European Research infrastructures like EPOS (European Plate Observing System) involve scientific communities and research organizations federating facilities and resources to ensure data management and interoperability through e-science innovation. After introducing the ethical issues associated with the protection of personal data, intellectual property rights, and data misuse, we will focus on the impartiality for public good. This opens a new horizon to the ethical dimension of open access to research data, going well beyond research integrity. This assumes an outstanding relevance when referring to solid Earth science data since they also concern natural and anthropogenic hazards and risk communication relying on sharing scientific information with different stakeholders. Although we present a specific perspective for solid Earth science, we believe that the addressed ethical dimension is relevant for environmental science in general.