New Ideas for Communities of Practice: Networks of Networks

Abstract

The last decade has seen the emergence of two interlinked trends in the support that information technology can bring to Earth and Environmental Observation Systems. These are, broadly speaking, focused on the increasing use of discoverable, brokered data and services, based on interoperability specifications, and the emergence of collaborative portals to support the production and use of research and development output.
There are three major problems with these developments, despite its benefits: (1) scalability – the infrastructure is resource-intensive in respect of maintenance and extension (2) efficiency – a large part of the knowledge embedded into individual projects, initiatives, and collaborations are lost or not adequately captured by traditional meta-data, and (3) flexibility – current approaches are not designed for a movement to massive use of social networking, mobile and other devices that are connected to the internet, and similar developments.
In this paper, we present new concepts that support a ‘Knowledge Network of Networks’ that can adapt to changing technologies, is self-maintaining and scalable, and can be supported by a variety of clients in any number of interaction channels – from traditional desktops and laptops to mobile phones, and smart devices. We have used the existing South African Earth Observation System of Systems (SAEOSS), South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), and South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas (SARVA) portals as a case study for exploring some of the implications of these new concepts, especially for self-maintaining communities of practice. The paper then sets out a vision for a Reference Model for Scalable Knowledge Networks.
The underlying fabric of the concept is a massive, open, and liberalised meta-data resource that can be mined for new information and knowledge, and serves as a record of scientific endeavour.