Advancing the international data science workforce through shared training and education

The increasing richness and diversity of biomedical data types creates major organizational and analytical impediments to rapid translational impact in the context of training and education. As biomedical data-sets increase in size, variety and complexity, they challenge conventional methods for sharing, managing and analyzing those data. In May 2017, we convened a two-day meeting between the BD2K Training Coordinating Center (TCC), ELIXIR Training/TeSS, GOBLET, H3ABioNet, EMBL-ABR, bioCADDIE and the CSIRO, in Huntington Beach, California, to compare and contrast our respective activities, and how these might be leveraged for wider impact on an international scale. Discussions focused on the role of i) training for biomedical data science; ii) the need to promote core competencies, and the ii) development of career paths. These led to specific conversations about i) the values of standardizing and sharing data science training resources; ii) challenges in encouraging adoption of training material standards; iii) strategies and best practices for the personalization and customization of learning experiences; iv) processes of identifying stakeholders and determining how they should be accommodated; and v) discussions of joint partnerships to lead the world on data science training in ways that benefit all stakeholders. Generally, international cooperation was viewed as essential for accommodating the widest possible participation in the modern bioscience enterprise, providing skills in a truly “FAIR” manner, addressing the importance of data science understanding worldwide. Several recommendations for the exchange of educational frameworks are made, along with potential sources for support, and plans for further cooperative efforts are presented.