As we approach the 2025 election, an exciting chapter for our community, the Election Committee is steering a process that will shape the future of DataCite’s leadership. With a focus on ensuring greater regional representation, the committee—comprised of board members Irina Sens, John Chodacki, Lynn Woolfrey, and Marco Marsella (with voting rights), alongside staff Britta Dreyer and Matt Buys (ex-officio, no voting rights)—is committed to reviewing all candidates with careful consideration. This follows the DataCite Board’s decision to prioritize global diversity among incoming Board members, ensuring our leadership truly reflects the breadth and vibrancy of our global community.
Nominations are now open to the community, and the Election Committee will work proactively to recruit candidates for six available seats, across North America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania, Asia, and LATAM.
The 2025 election is guided by DataCite’s Election Principles & Process, which prioritize diversity, equity, and strategic alignment in building our leadership. Our goal is to amplify diverse voices and perspectives, ensuring the Board reflects a range of backgrounds, regions, and expertise that support our mission. Each year, the Board evaluates its composition in relation to our strategic goals, identifying the skills and characteristics needed for the future. We actively seek to increase the representation of visible minorities, regional and language diversity, gender balance, and career-level diversity to create a well-rounded, inclusive Board. Our succession planning balances continuity with new perspectives, ensuring the Board can grow and evolve while staying true to our mission.
After reviewing nominations (October 2024–January 2025), the committee will evaluate candidates and submit a final list of suitable candidates to the General Assembly for voting in April 2025. Board members, once elected, will serve three-year terms with a maximum of two consecutive terms.
This election marks a pivotal step toward inclusive governance, aligning our leadership with our evolving strategic priorities. We look forward to engaging our community and presenting final candidates to the General Assembly in April 2025.
If you are a DataCite Direct Member or DataCite Consortium Lead, we encourage you to either self-nominate or nominate suitable candidates by completing the form below by January 31, 2025.
