TDWG

Apply to be part of the Program Committee for TDWG 2026 in Oslo

2026-02-17T00:00:00+00:00

We are seeking volunteers to join the Program Committee for our upcoming TDWG 2026 Conference in Oslo, Norway. If this is you, please continue reading.

Volunteer application form

The Program Committee plays a central role in shaping the structure, content, and intellectual direction of the conference. Committee members meet regularly and collaborate closely to ensure a high-quality, engaging program for our community.

Responsibilities

Here below is an outline of responsibilities, you are welcome to help with one or more depending on your interest and availability.

Contribute to the overall conference program
Draft and issue instructions for authors, speakers, and moderators
Review submissions for the conference, select keynote speakers, judge student prizes
Provide training for moderators and/or act as a moderator
Actively participate in the publishing process for the conference Proceedings in the TDWG journal, Biodiversity Information Science and Standards (BISS)
Support the Code of Conduct

Who should apply

We welcome volunteers from all parts of the TDWG community—researchers, practitioners, data professionals, students, and anyone with an interest in conference planning, scholarly communication, or community building.

We are a diverse committee and strongly encourage applications from people representing different regions, cultural backgrounds, gender identities, ages, and career stages. TDWG benefits from a wide range of perspectives, and we value contributions from both new and experienced community members.

Prior experience on a program committee is helpful but not required. What matters most is your willingness to contribute a few hours each week and to participate actively in Program Committee activities.

What you get in return

Serving on the Program Committee offers a range of professional and personal benefits, which may include the opportunity to:

Gain hands‑on experience in planning and delivering an international hybrid conference.
Learn from experienced Program Committee members.
Develop your skills in scholarly review, program design, and community coordination.
Engage with a broad, interdisciplinary community working across biodiversity informatics.
Help shape the direction of the TDWG 2026 conference.
Expand your professional network and build new collaborations.

How to apply

Fill in and submit the form below

Volunteer application form

Do you have any questions?

Please email conf-organizers@tdwg.org

Call for Executive Committee nominations (2026–2027)

2025-11-16T00:00:00+00:00

Nominations are open for positions on the Executive Committee for Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG). Nomination deadline is 6 December 2025 PST (UTC-8). See the list of positions to be elected and nomination procedure, below.

The term for each role is 2 years, commencing on 1 January 2026.

This is an opportunity to lead the future of biodiversity informatics and work with an enthusiastic team to improve the quality and interoperability of biodiversity data.

Role	Term
Deputy Chair	2026-27 as Deputy Chair 2028-29 as Chair
Chair of the Technical Architecture Group	2026-27
Chair of the Functional Subcommittee for Fundraising and Partnerships	2026-27
Chair of the Functional Subcommittee for Infrastructure	2026-27
Chair of the Functional Subcommittee for Time and Place	2026-27
Representative for Africa	2026-27
Representative for Oceania	2026-27

TDWG is an international organization that promotes the digitization, integration, and sharing of information about the world’s biodiversity. TDWG provides a forum where individuals, projects, and institutions who manage biodiversity data can come together to share expertise and promote interoperability by promulgating standards and best practices. TDWG also publishes the Biodiversity Information Science and Standards (BISS) journal where papers on issues related to information technology and biodiversity science can be published. You would be a member of the TDWG Executive Committee, which oversees the work of TDWG: coordinates TDWG Interest and Task Groups, manages the review and ratification of standards, manages the organization’s journal, and organizes the annual meeting. These responsibilities are set forth in the Constitution and detailed further in supplementary documents.

Positions on the Executive are staggered two-year terms, such that no more than half of the committee will be new in any year. Towards the end of every calendar year, TDWG holds elections for terms that are expiring and need to be filled for the coming year. Officers elected this year will serve terms from 2026 through 2027. The open positions and their responsibilities are detailed below, followed by the schedule and procedures for nominations and the election.

General responsibilities

All officers, including Subcommittee Chairs, have voting rights on the Executive Committee, and are expected to participate in the committee’s conference calls, which are generally every two weeks. Executive Committee members are expected to find their own support to travel to attend the annual conference. Discounted registration to the conference may be offered.

Offices open for election

Deputy Chair

The Deputy Chair of TDWG holds the post for two years, followed by two years as the Chair. Nominees for Deputy Chair are committing to a four year term in total. The Chair/Deputy Chair leads the activities of TDWG, including, but not limited to presiding overTDWG’s Annual Meeting and over meetings of the Executive Committee. The Chair will seek the guidance of the Executive Committee, TDWG partners and conveners of Interest, Maintenance and Task Groups as needed, to make decisions and maintain the integrity of the organization. They write an annual update to members on TDWG’s status, activities, priorities and vision for the year ahead.

Unless delegated to other Executive Committee members, the Chair represents TDWG at meetings, conferences and other official functions.

Chair of the Technical Architecture Group

The motivation, mission and responsibilities of the Technical Architecture Group are explained on the TAG page. The Chair provides leadership and guidance on TDWG technical architecture and advises the Executive and membership on matters relating to the principles, strategies and practices for maintaining the common technical framework for TDWG standards. The TAG Chair also consults with the TDWG Chair to make certain that the activities of the TAG are in alignment with TDWG goals and priorities.

Chair of the Functional Subcommittee for Fundraising and Partnerships

The motivation, mission and responsibilities of the Functional Subcommittee are explained on the Subcommittee’s page. The Chair provides leadership on scientific and other fundraising as well as participation in partnerships for TDWG.

Chair of the Functional Subcommittee for Infrastructure

The purpose of the Infrastructure Functional Subcommittee is to maintain the software tools and resources required to support the operation of TDWG. The responsibilities and management of the Subcommittee are explained further on its web page.

Chair of the Functional Subcommittee for Time and Place

The motivation, mission and responsibilities of the Functional Subcommittee are explained on the Subcommittee’s page. The Chair provides leadership to develop a rolling plan for TDWG Conferences and other meetings.

Regional Representative for Africa and Regional Representative for Oceania

Regional Representatives give voice to the members, institutions, and projects in their region, and collectively provide a global perspective to the Executive Committee. As members of the Executive Committee, Regional Representatives have responsibility for the oversight of TDWG and the authority to approve/decline strategic initiatives, budgets, and all aspects of operations and activities. The Executive Committee also approves or declines the formation of Interest and Task Groups, as well as the ratification of standards and best practice specifications produced by Interest and Task Groups.

Nomination procedure

To nominate someone for one of the positions above, first confirm that the nominee is willing to accept the responsibilities of the office. Then work with the nominee to send a brief statement of the nominee’s background and vision (maximum 400 words) to the TDWG Secretary (secretary@tdwg.org). Self nominations are accepted. All nominations must be completed and received by 6 December 2025 PST (UTC-8).

Election procedure

The TDWG secretariat will post nominees’ statements to the TDWG website and distribute ballots to all institutional and individual members in good standing. In the case of institutional members, we will notify the primary and secondary contacts, but only one ballot response will be accepted. If you are uncertain about your membership status, please inquire with the TDWG Treasurer (treasurer@tdwg.org). Institutional ballots will be weighted as five individual ballots.

Deadline

Nominations due by 6 December 2025 PST (UTC-8). Ballots will be distributed by email shortly thereafter. Exact date-times will be announced via TDWG announcements and posted here.

Community help desk for Darwin Core public review

2025-11-13T00:00:00+00:00

Community help desk sessions for Darwin Core public review

Please join us for a community help desk session related to the public review of the new conceptual model and Data Package Guide for Darwin Core.

When

Multiple sessions are being offered to accommodate different time zones and schedules:

Thursday, 20 Nov, 19:00 - 20:00 UTC
Monday, 1 Dec, 13:00 - 14:00 UTC
Monday, 1 Dec, 23:00 - 0:00 UTC (focused on media-related aspects of the current review)
Monday, 8 Dec, 13:00 - 14:00 UTC (hosted by the Earth Science and Paleobiology Interest Group, with a focus on the needs of this domain)
Tuesday, 9 Dec, 00:00 - 1:00 UTC (hosted by the Earth Science and Paleobiology Interest Group, with a focus on the needs of this domain)
Thursday, 11 Dec, 14:00 - 15:00 UTC

See the schedule in your local time zone on the Zoom registration page.

See a video of the introduction from the first session.

What

Are you curious about the current Darwin Core public review period but not sure how to engage? Meaning to think about it, but need time on the calendar to make it happen? Not sure how to interpret all of the documentation and discussion? Join us for an informal help desk session to orient new participants and answer questions. We will begin with a 10-minute overview of the TDWG public review process (to be recorded), followed by open discussion and Q&A (not recorded). Discover what changes are being suggested, what new terms are being proposed, and how you can share your thoughts!

Note that the current review is more complex than typical Darwin Core change proposals, as it includes a new Conceptual Model and Data Package guide. These proposed changes are intended to support richer, more complex types of biodiversity data than are currently possible with a Darwin Core Archive. Read more about the current review here.

How

This series will be hosted by Erica Krimmel (TDWG Regional Representative for North America), John Wieczorek (TDWG Darwin Core Maintenance Group), and Ben Norton (TDWG Technical Architecture Group). Please direct any questions to Erica.

Audiovisual Core public review of new class, ac:Media

2025-11-09T00:00:00+00:00

The Audiovisual Core Maintenance Group has approved a proposal to create a class for media items. This proposal is intended to complement the Darwin Core Data Packages proposal, in addition to serving as a class whose members are the subject of most of the existing terms in Audiovisual Core.

To view the proposal’s full details and make comments, visit https://github.com/tdwg/ac/issues/277. The comment period will run for at least 30 days, starting on November 10 and ending no earlier than December 10.

If you have any questions, please contact Ed Baker, Audiovisual Core Maintenance Group convener.

Public review of new conceptual model and Data Package Guide for Darwin Core

2025-09-17T00:00:00+00:00

Public review of new conceptual model and Data Package Guide for Darwin Core

After an extensive period of community feedback and testing, the Darwin Core Maintenance Group has approved moving the proposal for a conceptual model and Data Package guide forward to a period of public comment. The public comment period will begin on Wednesday, 17 September 2025 and will stay open until ~~at least 16 December (90 days)~~ 13 March, 2026 (recently extended another month).

Darwin Core Review Home Page

This public review is longer than normal since this coordinated set of additions and changes to the Darwin Core standard is more complex than typical change proposals. The procedures for handling such complex proposals, known as vocabulary enhancements, are described in the TDWG Vocabulary Maintenance Specification. In deciding to move the proposal forward, the Maintenance Group considered the working group’s Implementation Experience Report to assess the necessity and effectiveness of the proposed changes relative to needs expressed by members of the community who chose to participate in the initial development and testing of use cases.

A link to this report, along with summary descriptions of and links to details of the three major parts of the proposal, are included in a review landing page (linked above). The landing page also explains how you can participate in the review. All members of the community are encouraged to participate. We would particularly welcome feedback from those with technical expertise and interest in developing applications based on the Conceptual Model and Data Package guide, included in the proposal.

If you have any questions about the review, please contact Steve Baskauf.

Steve Baskauf

Convener, on behalf of the Darwin Core Maintenance Group

Other resources

Community help desk session: introduction to the Darwin Core public review: 14:00 mins.

Session videos on the new Darwin Core model and data-package proposals from Living Data 2025:

TDWG - ICZN Sign MOU

2025-07-08T00:00:00+00:00

TDWG and ICZN Sign Memorandum of Understanding

TDWG is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). This agreement marks a significant step toward closer collaboration in promoting biodiversity data standards and the integration of zoological nomenclature into global informatics efforts.

The partnership underscores our shared commitment to advancing open science, ensuring interoperability, and supporting the long-term accessibility and usability of taxonomic information.

We look forward to working together with ICZN to strengthen the foundation of biodiversity data worldwide.

View PDF

Remarks

“Scientific nomenclature aims to bring clear and unambiguous data-sharing and communication about species, and strengthening the ICZN-TDWG axis would seem a win-win situation in a time where ‘big data initiatives’ are increasingly important for safeguarding and managing our ecosystems.” (Thomas Pape, President, ICZN)

“Scientific nomenclature is the informatics backbone underpinning all of taxonomy, which itself is the scaffolding around which almost all biodiversity data is organized. As indicated by its acronym, TDWG’s origins are centered on taxonomic databases, and this MoU represents an important step towards harmonizing biodiversity data in a way that will enrich and empower it to serve critical societal needs.” (Richard Pyle, Former Commissioner, ICZN)

“Biological data-sharing standards are the foundation that permit meaningful exploration of the world around us and interoperability across diverse systems. This collaboration between the ICZN and TDWG represents and renews our shared commitment to open access to data and our support for science and discovery of the natural world.” (David Bloom, Chair, TDWG)

Audiovisual Core public review

2025-05-16T00:00:00+00:00

The Audiovisual Core Maintenance Group would like to announce the start of the public review of proposed additions to the standard. The public comment period will remain open through at least 17 June, 2025.

The additions are documented as GitHub issues with the tag “public comment” and can be accessed here.

In summary, the proposed changes are:

Adding the terms ac:filterLowPass and ac:filterHighPass for bioaocustic recordings.
Adding the term ac:Digital3DResource to allow for 3D representations within Audiovisual Core in anticipation of the final proposals of the 3D Task Group.
Proposal to create a controlled vocabulary for content description.
Proposal to add ac:commentDate.

Call for comments on Taxonomic Concept Schema V2

2025-04-04T00:00:00+00:00

Call for comments on the new version of the Taxon Concept Schema (TCS)

The Taxon Concept Schema (TCS) Maintenance Group would like to announce the start of a minimum 30-day period for public review of a major new version of TCS, Taxon Concept Standard (TCS) 2.

TCS 2 is a major revision of TCS and comes with a proposal to change the name of the standard from ‘Taxon Concept Schema’ to ‘Taxon Concept Standard’. The purpose of the present revision was to convert TCS to a vocabulary standard, like Darwin Core, that does not prescribe a data format and that can be maintained under the Vocabulary Maintenance Standard (VMS). At this stage, we do not add any new concepts that were not already in TCS 1, but they can be proposed for addition later in a similar process that is already in place for other current TDWG standards.

Because this is a major change, the VMS requires a Feature Report and an Implementation Experience Report. These documents, together with the Term List and some other documentation, can be accessed from the Documentation page of the TCS2 GitHub repository. As an indication that there is still ample room for community input and improvement, no website has been created yet.

The best way to participate in the public review is to comment on the GitHub issues that have been created for each term. These GitHub issues are linked to from the Term List and can also be accessed from the TCS 2 Initial Release Milestone. For discussions that span multiple terms, or that might result in a lot of comments, we will create separate GitHub Discussions.

We are organising two information and discussion sessions during the TDWG Working Sessions that will be held from 14 to 25 April, one on Wednesday, April 16, at 10:00 UTC and another on Thursday, April 17, at 21:00 UTC. Please go to the Working Sessions 2025 page on the TDWG website to register if you are interested in attending one (or both) of these events. These sessions will be very good opportunities to learn more about and contribute to TCS. We hope to see many of you there.

Your comments are welcome and are important to make TCS the active standard that we want it to be.

Thank you,

The TCS Maintenance Group

2025 Working Sessions for TDWG Interest/Task/Maintenance Groups

2025-03-31T00:00:00+00:00

Virtual sessions for interest, task, and maintenance groups

Interest and task groups are the driving force for developing and maintaining TDWG standards. The TDWG community is dynamic – people come and go – so every year we hold virtual working sessions to:

inform the wider biodiversity informatics community about the group’s work;
review progress to date;
engage new contributors; and
set the agenda for this year’s work.

The TDWG community spans the globe, so it’s difficult to reach everyone at a reasonable hour. Some groups will hold their session twice to reach the East or West hemispheres at convenient times. But note, if the scheduled time is inconvenient or you have a conflict, we will also record every session and post the videos on the TDWG YouTube channel.

Schedule and registration

Working session will be held over two weeks, April 14-25. The images below show the sessions in each week.

See the detailed schedule for the time of each session translated into your local time zone, and the link to register for each session.

Week 1, 14-17 April

Week 2, 22-25 April

Community help desk for Darwin Core public review PAST

2025-03-09T00:00:00+00:00

When: Tuesday, March 11th from 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST (UTC-4)

This event has already happened. Watch the recorded presentation and first few comments (13 mins).

[Most of the discussion was not recorded to encourage anyone new to TDWG to ask questions.]

What: Community help desk for Darwin Core public review

Are you curious about the current Darwin Core public review period but not sure how to engage? Meaning to think about it but need time on the calendar to make it happen? Not certain how to interpret all of the documentation and discussion? Join us for an informal help desk session dedicated to orienting new participants and answering questions. We will begin with a 10-minute overview of the TDWG public review process, followed by open discussion and Q&A. Discover what changes are being suggested, what new terms are being proposed, and how you can share your thoughts!

This event was hosted by:

@Erica Krimmel - TDWG Regional Representative for North America and
@Deb Paul - Biodiversity Informatics Liaison/Species File Group, past TDWG Chair 2021-2022.

Please direct any questions to Erica.