The University of Kansas Center for Research Inc., a non-profit subsidiary of the University of Kansas, received a $943,148 Project Grant award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure. This award, which runs from September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2027, is supported by the NSF's Division of Research, Innovation, Synergies, and Education (RISE), Division of Earth Sciences (EAR), and Tectonics Program within the Directorate for Geosciences.
The grant supports the development of an automated quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) system for the StroboSpot geologic information system and observational data. The project integrates computer science, cognitive science, and geology expertise to create two complementary algorithms - one based on machine learning and one on expert-derived logic - to evaluate the quality and completeness of geological data collections. The goal is to provide a mechanism for both expert and non-expert users to assess data quality and improve data collection processes. This work aims to enable new types of geoscience research, such as regional-scale modeling and incorporating multi-disciplinary data, by promoting the use of high-quality, trusted shared data sets.