SSI Fellow Michael Tso is among the organisers of a community workshop focused on the environmental code of long-term value. This free hybrid event, which is tailored for both NERC data centres and environmental modellers, is scheduled for Tuesday 21 November and will be conducted online as well as in person at UKCEH, Lancaster.

The main goal of NERC data centres is to ensure that environmental data are made available, accessible, and reusable for the long term to fully realise their value. Environmental data includes data collected in the field, samples analyzed in the laboratory, as well as model outputs that are underpinned by model code. Model code also plays a vital role in data analysis, understanding and visualisation, and decision-making. Thus, it is essential to consider model code in the same light as datasets regarding their long-term value. However, safeguarding the long-term value of model codes presents unique challenges that are not found in datasets. Model codes are prone to frequent changes, they may become unusable when software dependencies become obsolete, and ensuring their quality can be difficult.

UKCEH and the EIDC, which is part of NERC Environmental Data Services (NERC-EDS), are actively engaging with the environmental research community to understand the user community's needs concerning model codes. They are seeking input to foster ideas that can help both users and developers of environmental codes maximize their long-term value. Your input can also contribute to shaping future NERC strategies, policies, NERC EDS commissioning, and the development of the NERC model metadata catalogue.

 The workshop will cover a range of important themes, including defining what constitutes an 'Environmental Model Code of Long-Term Value,' exploring best practices and standards, addressing training and upskilling needs, delving into emerging principles and ideas, such as research objects, and discussing how to capture the long-term value of model codes. This will include considering the levels of FAIRness and metadata requirements.

Furthermore, the event will examine the role of data centres and long-term repositories in preserving these vital resources and provide a roadmap for the way forward.

If you are interested in participating, please fill in the registration form by Tuesday 14 November. T&S support is available.