Announcement
Issued by: International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE)
Closing Date for Submissions: 31 August, 2026
Submission Method: Send Proposal Form to isde@radi.ac.cn
The International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE) currently opens the Call for Task Forces.
Task Force Mission:
Task Forces (TFs) are the primary delivery mechanism through which ISDE produces tangible, reusable assets, i.e. Digital Earth Enablers (DEEs). They may originate from Council resolutions, Bureau directives, or recommendations from Working Groups. They are time-bounded, outcome-focused units established to deliver a defined capability, artefact, or decision input. They are not standing bodies. They are commissioned for a specific purpose, operate to an agreed scope and cadence, and conclude once their deliverables have been accepted and formally registered. TF allow ISDE to respond swiftly to emerging opportunities, partnerships, or technical challenges.
This Call is Open to:
- ISDE Working Groups (WGs) proposing a defined TF to deliver a specific output
- ISDE members or external partners (opportunities to engage external expertise and partners beyond ISDE) contributing to or aligning with the ISDE Strategic Frameworks or the Digital Earth Enablers (DEEs)
- Interdisciplinary teams focusing on the ISDE Strategic Frameworks (See Annex-1) and the DEEs (See Annex-2)
Task Force Delegated Functions
TFs may be tasked with one or more activities aimed at targeted strategic initiatives by the Council or Bureau, or short-term and effort-focused deliverables required by WGs, including but not limited to:
- Delivering defined outputs aligned with the Strategic Frameworks and the DEEs.
- Providing rapid technical or policy recommendations to the Council, Bureau or WGs.
- Engaging external experts or partners for specialised input with Council approval.
- Documenting findings and lessons learned for integration into ISDE’s knowledge base.
For example, the WG “Education and Capacity Building for Digital Earth” can establish TFs “Standardized Digital Earth Curriculum Development” and “Global Training Resource Repository”, which fit well into the Framework 10 “Digital Earth as a Learning and Empowerment Platform”, and contribute to the DEEs “Learning & Participation”. And also the WG “Digitalization for Culture Heritage” can establish a TF “Local Stroytelling & Heritage Visualization”, which fits into the Framework 11 “Digital Earth as a Cultural Memory and Storytelling Hub”, and contributes to the DEEs “Implementation” and “Learning & Participation”.
Task Force Structure and Operation
- TFs will be formally announced on the ISDE website and social media upon approval by the Council.
- TFs are established either under the proposal of the Council or Bureau for target-oriented, specific work, operating under Terms of Reference approved by the Council; or under the proposal of WGs for short-term deliverable, also operating under Terms of Reference approved by the Council.
- TF chairs will be appointed by the President on the Bureau or Council advice, or by co-chairs of the WGs, and coordinated by a Council Liaison ensure alignment with ISDE’s Frameworks and DEEs.
- TF membership is drawn from ISDE experts, Regional Chapters, Working Groups, and external partners as appropriate to the task.
- The Secretariat maintains a central register of all TFs and their outputs.
- TFs automatically sunset upon delivery of their final report or completion of their mandate, unless renewed by the Council.
- TFs should normally operate for six to eighteen months and must not exceed twenty-four months without renewal. Upon expiration, a TF that has successfully passed the evaluation may submit an application for renewal.
Support for Task Forces
Approved TFs will receive:
- A dedicated page on the ISDE website
- Coordination support from the ISDE Secretariat (e.g., scheduling meetings, circulating minutes)
- The ability to convene workshops under the ISDE banner
Eligible TF outputs will be considered for publication in the International Journal of Digital Earth or the Big Earth Data journal (subject to peer review).
- Enquiries
For questions or early-stage advice, please contact the ISDE Secretariat at isde@radi.ac.cn.
Task Force Proposal Include: (See Annex-3)
- Title
- Background
- Objective
- Expected Deliverables
- Proposed Co-chairs
- Initiated Members
- Council Liaison
- Secretary/Contact person (if any)
- Terms of Reference
Submission & Evaluation Procedure
- Deadline for submission: 31 August 2026
- How to submit:
Complete the Task Force Proposal (Annex-3) and send it to the ISDE Secretariat at isde@radi.ac.cn
- Review process:
Proposals will be reviewed by the ISDE Council, Bureau, or WGs. Recommendations will be presented to the full Council for approval.
Annex-1 Digital Earth Thematic Frameworks
Annex -2 Mapping Frameworks and Digital Earth Enablers (DEEs) to Task Forces
Annex -3: Task Force Proposal
