EOSC Interoperability Framework: Implementing Semantic Interoperability Recommendations

Relevance

This report provides recommendations to guide current and future actions towards data and service level interoperability—enabling seamless exchange and integration of information across tools, workflows and data infrastructures. It emphasises the role of a shared reference architecture as a catalyst, how compelling use cases and demonstrators should drive convergence and innovation, and solutions for semantic mediation across thematic services.

Scope

The five recommendations presented in the report will support alignment of strategic and operational priorities for projects and individuals who are developing and implementing interoperability solutions for EOSC. Each recommendation outlines indicators of success and actions that should guide future activities. The report also provides context through four explorations expanding on critical aspects of an emerging interoperability framework for EOSC.

Main highlights

The report expands on the semantic interoperability priorities outlined in the SRIA & MAR FOR EOSC and provides direction to future activities through its five broad recommendations informed by four explorations conducted by the EOSC-A TF Semantic Interoperability with further input from EOSC stakeholders, HE INFRA-EOSC projects, and various international expert communities. The recommendations will pave the way for a coherent system of practices and technical solutions for semantic interoperability within and beyond EOSC, supported by a shared frame of reference, compelling use cases with demonstrable value across domains, mediation services that reliably translate and integrate information, and sustainable infrastructure for FAIR semantic artefacts. The four explorations shed light on semantic interoperability challenges ranging from the collection and consolidation of machine-readable interoperability specifications; to the maturity assessment of semantic artefact catalogues; to the sharing and reuse of mappings and crosswalks; and to the validation of competing approaches and implementations through both shared and domain specific scenarios. Together, these parts shed light on the landscape of semantic interoperability and provide the cornerstones and scaffolds necessary for paving the road towards the envisioned web of FAIR data and services, realising an integrated, efficient research ecosystem that supports interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.

Key recommendations

The five broad categories of recommendations presented in the report are paraphrased below but should be considered in context of the full report. In the report, each recommendation provides indicators of success and actions that should guide future activities:          :

1. Alignment with the EOSC-IF Reference Architecture: Encourages integrating emerging adaptations and implementations into a cohesive semantic framework, fostering awareness and shared practices across the EOSC community.
2. FAIR Digital Object Model Adoption: Urges the consolidation of approaches for representing and exchanging (meta)data within the EOSC, promoting interoperability and usability across diverse research domains.
3. Inclusion of Research Process Perspectives: Recommends expanding the EOSC-IF to support common use cases and real-world case studies, demonstrating the framework’s applicability and encouraging stakeholder engagement.
4. Expansion of Semantic Business Objects: Advocates for recognizing mappings and crosswalks as essential components for mediation across different semantic artefacts, enhancing data discovery and integration capabilities.
5. Emphasis on the Semantic Artefact Catalogue: Highlights the catalogue’s critical role in ensuring long-term access and discoverability of semantic artefacts, underpinning the EOSC’s viability and efficiency.

These recommendations aim to solidify the EOSC’s infrastructure, ensuring robust semantic interoperability that supports seamless data exchange and fosters interdisciplinary research collaborations. Through their implementation, the EOSC can achieve a more interconnected and efficient research landscape, propelling scientific discovery and innovation.