Governance

The Specify Collections Consortium is advised by three interconnected governing bodies; the Board of Members, the Technology Advisory Committee, and the User Advisory Committee. Each governing body plays a vital role in shaping the direction, priorities, and long term health of the SCC. Together, these groups ensure that the SCC remains truly member driven, drawing on the expertise, perspectives, and leadership of institutions across the global collections community.

The Board of Members provides overarching vision and oversight, guiding the Consortium's strategic trajectory and ensuring accountability to its mission and values. The Technology Advisory Committee brings deep technical insight, helping to identify development priorities, evaluate emerging needs, and ensure that Specify's infrastructure and capabilities evolve in step with the scientific landscape.

Complementing this, the User Advisory Committee grounds decision making in the lived experience of curators, collection managers, and researchers, ensuring that the software and services remain intuitive, effective, and aligned with real world workflows. Together, these governing bodies form the backbone of the SCC's collaborative model, ensuring that the Consortium's shared cyberinfrastructure is shaped by the community it serves and remains sustainable, innovative, and responsive for decades to come.

BOM

Board of Members

24 members

The Board of Members provides strategic governance for the consortium, helps set organizational priorities, and ensures that member institutions have a direct voice in the long-term direction of Specify.

Members

Anthony Magee, South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa
Andy Bentley, University of Kansas, United States
Alexis Beck, Ville de Geneve, Switzerland
Corinna Paeper, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia
David Reed, University of Florida, United States
Douglas S. Jones, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, United States
Fedor Steeman, Danish Natural History Museums, Denmark
Gunnhild Marthinsen, Natural History Museum, UniMus:Natur, Norway
Gillian Brown, Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Government, Australia
Hugo de Boer, Natural History Museum, UniMus:Natur, Norway
Inigo Granzow-de la Cerda, Real Jardin Botanico, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Spain
Jenny Smedmark, UniMus:Natur, Norway
Joe Miller, Global Biodiversity Information Facility, Denmark
Kim Steenstrup Pedersen, Danish Natural History Museums, Denmark
Nathan Peterson, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia
Nico Franz, University of Kansas, United States
Natalia Lopez Carranza, University of Kansas, United States
Nikolaj Scharff, Danish Natural History Museums, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Robert Cubey, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Rafael Zardoya, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Spain
Ted Hanss, University of Michigan, United States
Thais Vasconcelos, University of Michigan, United States
Adriaan Jordaan, Iziko South African Museum, South Africa
Warren H. Brown, University of Florida, United States

TAC

Technology Advisory Committee

14 members

The Technology Advisory Committee advises on architecture, implementation priorities, and technical quality. It helps ensure that development decisions are durable, interoperable, and aligned with the needs of collections institutions.

Members

Fedor Steeman, Danish Natural History Museums, Denmark
Chair
Lucas DeCicco, University of Kansas, Biodiversity Institute, United States
Ray Garcia, San Diego Natural History Museum, United States
Garth Holman, University of Michigan, United States
Adriaan Jordaan, South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa
Heryk Julien, Laurentian Forestry Centre, Canada
Niels Klazenga, Royal Botanic Garden Victoria, Australia
Silvia Lusa, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Spain
Mark Pitblado, University of British Columbia, Canada
Vivek Pulukuri, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia
Eirik Rindal, UniMus:Natur, Norway
Joe Russack, California Academy of Sciences, United States
Tomislav Urban, University of Texas, Austin, United States
Taylor Wilson, University of Florida, United States

UAC

User Advisory Committee

14 members

The User Advisory Committee represents day-to-day user perspectives, workflows, and emerging requirements from the field. Its recommendations help shape practical improvements and influence the development roadmap of Specify.

Members

Natalia Lopez Carranza, University of Kansas, United States
Chair
Blanka Aguero, Duke University, United States
Beatriz Alvarez, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Spain
Dan Baker, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia
Torkild Bakken, UniMus:Natur, Norway
Tess Bonachita, Father Saturnino Urios University, Philippines
Willem Coetzer, South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, South Africa
Casey Dillman, Cornell University, United States
Nina Fillipova, Yugra State University, Russia
Kevin Holston, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Sweden
Brad Ruhfel, University of Michigan, United States
Zsuzsanna Papp, Danish Natural History Museums, Denmark
Gustav Paulay, University of Florida, United States
Leslie Skibinski, Paleontological Research Institute, United States

Governance

Board of Members

Members

Technology Advisory Committee

Members

User Advisory Committee

Members

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