The Semantic Web Applied Ontology SIG aims to bridge the gap between the Semantic Web community and the IAOA community. This SIG would support communication and collaboration to promote [applied ontology / semantic content] with our colleagues in the Semantic Web (including Linked Data) community and to understand how these communities’ problem spaces impact applied ontology.

Often the two communities seem to think they have nothing in common, whereas some of us believe they share many common goals, common technologies, and a common interest in well-engineered applied ontologies. The Semantic Web and Linked Data communities have challenges to do with scale and linking of vast heterogeneous data, so the communities also have different foci. We want to assist each side to bring their perspectives to the table.

Many of us in IAOA promote and use Semantic Web technologies and reasoning methods; similarly, many in the Semantic Web community advocate more rigorous and principled ontologies based on ontological analysis.

We view applied ontology as applying ontological analysis methods to business problems, while the Semantic Web and Linked Data communities focus more generally on large scale applications of semantic technologies and the ability to reason over information on the Web.

Therefore this SIG will be event-focused, concentrating on bringing the techniques and technologies of either side together, along with the individuals who are members of both communities. We will sponsor joint workshops, collaborative authoring of journal articles across these communities, and consider related activities such as joint tutorials which would help build bridges, along with participation in summer schools and related events in both communities.