Barbara what is your organization’s role in the FAIR2Adapt (F2A) project?

GFF is the lead partner for WP 5 Community engagement and support and the lead partner for Task 5.1 FAIR Capacity Building and Task 5.2 User requirements for FAIR and scientifically sound CCA. In addition, GFF leads Task 3.3 Automated I-ADOPT service. Our general role is to guide case study communities in FAIR implementation. I am responsible for leading these tasks for the GFF.

How does F2A relate with you and your team’s background and interests?

The GO FAIR Foundation guides people and organisations on solutions making data universally Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable [FAIR]. We work with communities to help them to FAIR onboard and understand how they can implement the FAIR principles. GFF has developed a FAIR Capacity Building Programme based on the Three-Point FAIRification Framework to provide extended, professional and qualified training for data stewards. I have been a trainer in different environments, as a GIS teacher at the university, as a semantic expert in research summer schools and now at GO FAIR Foundation as the mother of the Fellows Programme. With F2A a dream came true because it allows me to combine my FAIR skills with my teaching experience and my professional background as a landscape planner, a profession that seeks to develop balanced strategies and actions to increase human and natural resilience to major challenges such as climate change. I want to effectively support the important work of scientists in climate research and climate change adaptation so that they can make a real impact on policy.

How will F2A optimize and contribute to the development of climate change adaptation (CCA) strategies?

FAIR2Adapt will make use of EOSC services and will develop a tailored FAIR Implementation Framework to promote open, interoperable climate data sharing using FAIR Digital Objects (FDOs) like RO-Crate and nanopublications. By integrating semantic frameworks such as I-ADOPT, it creates a collaborative and efficient environment for designing climate adaptation strategies. Through stakeholder engagement and case studies, it will demonstrate the impact of FAIR data on climate resilience in Europe.

Which stakeholder groups can benefit from F2A?

Because FAIR2Adapt is case study driven, the project will benefit a variety of stakeholder groups in climate adaptation efforts. Local communities and citizens will have access to reliable, understandable climate data for making informed decisions on local adaptation strategies. Policymakers and governmental administration entities will make better-informed decisions based on FAIR data that support evidence-based strategy development. Researchers can better collaborate with interoperable and reusable data for future investigation, reducing duplications of efforts.  

In your opinion, what do you think the importance of climate change mitigation methods will be like in the future?

Mitigating climate change will be more important than ever to prevent irreversible damage, ensure economic stability and protect public health. Reducing emissions through clean energy, sustainable industries and carbon capture will be essential for global security and resilience. Technological innovation and policy action will drive progress, while mitigation and adaptation must go hand in hand. Acting now is the key to a sustainable and prosperous future.

Which are the most significant challenges and opportunities related to climate change adaptation in your opinion?

Because climate change adaptation data is not yet FAIR and faces significant obstacles such as misinformation and short-term political interests, it is difficult to develop effective adaptation strategies. Making this data FAIR can drive evidence-based decision making for effective adaptation. Helping case studies at different scales to come to more efficient working routines via FAIR data can encourage community-led adaptation.

Which are your personal expectations for the FAIR2Adapt project?

FAIR2Adapt will show the way forward for implementing FAIR Digital Objects (FDOs) in research and will demonstrate how making climate data findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable can enhance climate adaptation strategies. By promoting the use of FAIR principles, the project will enable better data sharing, improve collaboration among stakeholders, and provide decision-makers with reliable, actionable climate information to develop effective, evidence-based adaptation solutions. This approach will empower scientists, policymakers, and local communities to accelerate climate resilience and ensure long-term sustainability.

How far will the F2A project contribute to the improvement of citizen’s climate literacy?

The FAIR2Adapt project will play a crucial role in improving climate literacy by ensuring that data and knowledge related to climate adaptation strategies are FAIR. By strengthening the way climate-related information is shared and applied, the project helps citizens, policymakers, and researchers make better-informed decisions in response to climate challenges.

Do you have professional ambitions and visions that you hope to achieve in the climate sector?

I am doing a PhD on semantic interoperability at the University of Twente. I am leading the development of an LLM-based annotation service based on the I-ADOPT framework, which is the core of my thesis. I am convinced that FAIR and interoperable data will enable the integration of these datasets to produce risk and vulnerability maps, which are essential for the development of science-based CCA strategies.

What are you proud of, personally?

I feel very privileged to work in a position of freedom and leadership. I have been leading the development of the I-ADOPT framework as the chair of the RDA I-ADOPT Working Group. The aim of this framework is to FAIRify the variable description of observational data. I-ADOPT was endorsed by RDA in 2022 and is currently being discussed as a candidate model for extending the OGC OMS (Observation, Measurement and Sample /ISO 19156) standard. In FAIR2Adapt we plan to scale this approach by developing an LLM-enabled annotation service based on I-ADOPT. This service will be embedded in RO-Hub and will allow data providers to make their metadata FAIR and context rich.

In your opinion, how can women be further supported so that gender equality can be sustainably improved?

More women should be encouraged and supported in leadership roles as they bring diverse perspectives, inclusive decision-making and unique leadership strengths that contribute to more effective and equitable outcomes. Women often demonstrate strong emotional intelligence, empathy and collaborative leadership styles that foster inclusive workplace cultures and increase team engagement. This, in turn, helps female researchers in lower positions to be better heard and to make more influential contributions.

What would you wish for all ladies on March 8th?

I wish that women all over the world experience recognition of their abilities, strength and endless opportunities to realise their dreams. I hope for a more equitable world where every woman has the freedom to make her own choices, is supported to lead, and enjoys sisterhood and solidarity with one another.