Putting tragedy in context

Research in the USA is going through a period of upheaval because of the new presidential administration. Research data in particular is in jeopardy through changes in funding and access to data repositories and other data collections. Calls to mitigate this attack on academic freedom are timely and crucial. However, as the world focuses on the situation in the USA, it is important to note that this is not unique to the USA. Globally High, Middle and Low income countries have lost data through a variety of different events such as drastic budget cuts or civil upheaval. Different countries control access to data for a number of different reasons. We propose that the present situation in the USA gives the Academic community a chance to reflect on the fragility and importance of data-led resources and to coordinate, on a global basis, their defence and maintenance.