STRATEGY FOR IM SUPPORT OF RESEARCH

Transcription

1 STRATEGY FOR IM SUPPORT OF RESEARCH 6 February 2009 Draft Version 0.6.1

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Vision For IM Support Of Research At Victoria Background Requirements and Observations Assumptions and Constraints Scope Drivers Changing Nature Of Research Changes In Funding Changes In Research Infrastructure Demographic Change Environmental Sustainability Planning Linkages Challenges and Solutions Limits of Enterprise Solutions Uptake Diverse Responsibilities Services Research Services Catalogue Advice and Support Collaboration and Communication Data Management Infrastructure In-House Research Applications Projects Research Services Catalogue Advice and Support Collaboration Digital Resource Management (develop in collaboration with Library) Infrastructure (Storage, Computing, Network) Applications (In-House) Governance... 9

3 1 VISION FOR IM SUPPORT OF RESEARCH AT VICTORIA IT resources are focused on research, facilitating dramatic improvement in overall research performance. Research is recognized by Victoria IT service providers as a core function of the University which, in conjunction with teaching and learning, creates and disseminates the knowledge and understanding that Victoria provides to its local, national and international communities. Victoria researchers can easily access and share the information related skills, tools and capabilities required to conduct research and to participate effectively in the global research community. Researchers are able to focus their time and effort on making observations and creating new knowledge and understanding. The knowledge and understanding created and held by researchers is captured to benefit other researchers, Victoria, and the Victoria s communities. Employment and collaboration with Victoria are desirable to high quality researchers because we provide world class IT support. Strategy for IM Support of Research 1

4 2 BACKGROUND 2.1 Requirements and Observations This document is based on workshops conducted with Victoria Researchers in Requirements documented in the workshops are in Appendix 1. The following observations were made as well: Researchers at Victoria do not have adequate IM support. There is no organized approach to providing IM support to Victoria researchers. Researchers are managing enormous volumes of data and frequently lack necessary skills and resources. There are many needs in common between researchers in the sciences and in the humanities. Technology is a driver that frequently determines how research is conducted. Researchers are concerned about protection of intellectual property. Significant value created by the research process is not captured by the University. Researchers frequently have difficulty sharing resources. 2.2 Assumptions and Constraints Building of services is to be prioritized by assumed cost / benefit ratio: Research Services Catalogue Advice and Support Collaboration Data Management Custom Applications Infrastructure (not prioritized) Collaboration and cooperation with the research community is a critical success factor for successful implementation of the services described in this document. Any one-off solutions or services provided will be considered for re-use. Ever increasing need for infrastructure capacity (storage, networking, and computing) is to be assumed. 2.3 Scope This document with not address issues or propose solutions that are beyond ITS control, except where implementation will be in collaboration with other Victoria service units. Strategy for IM Support of Research 2

5 3 DRIVERS 3.1 Changing Nature Of Research More Data (example) Cross Discipline (example) Distributed Teams (example) 3.2 Changes In Funding Output Oriented Funding System (example from PBRF) Funding agencies demanding data visibility 3.3 Developing National Infrastructure (Government policy, recognized national resource, which can be shared to form an infrastructure) 3.4 Changes In Research Infrastructure Technology faster, different (example) 3.5 Demographic Change Aging Workforce Students (Refer To Existing VUW Docs) 3.6 Environmental Sustainability Climate Change Energy Costs Strategy for IM Support of Research 3

6 4 PLANNING LINKAGES VUW Strategic Plan Research Strategy e-research Strategy IT SP etc. Strategy for IM Support of Research 4

7 5 CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS 5.1 Limits of Enterprise Solutions For many organisations, an enterprise approach to IT solutions is assumed to be the most efficient. This is not necessarily true in a research environment. A biologist, for example, might need frequent access to an extremely high volume of similar format data, whereas an historian might require infrequent access to a data in a variety of formats. An University-wide database solution would likely not be a good solution. Therefore, it must be recognised that while central IT providers in Victoria should provide the best and most efficient service possible, it can never meet all of the needs of the research community, and should focus on services that meet the most needs at a reasonable cost. Additionally, schools and researchers should only be expected to use enterprise research services when the value to both the researcher and the University is clearly demonstrable or is required by policy. Enterprise solutions for research therefore are generally to be considered within the following areas only: Research services catalogue (page x) Advice and Support (page x) Infrastructure (section x) Required administrative interface with central service units. 5.2 Uptake Challenge: Some services may be introduced but see low use. (JH benefits of being out front) Solution: Pilots with identified need and willing participants. Orientation for new staff. Skills training. 5.3 Diverse Responsibilities Challenge: Support for research comes from various parts of the university, as well as external agencies, no single point of control Solution: Governance, E-Research Champion Strategy for IM Support of Research 5

8 6 SERVICES A brief description of each service is provided below. Services will be defined in more detail as consultation occurs and projects to implement the services progress. Projects to implement services are described in Section 7, below. 6.1 Research Services Catalogue A catalogue of services available to support research activities, to include services provided by Victoria as well as externally. The catalogue will be continuously updated an easily accessed and will provide information required to access the service. 6.2 Advice and Support This service will make available research support specialists with knowledge of IT and of research needs for everyday research related queries. This also includes support services tailored for specific research projects. 6.3 Collaboration and Communication Will provide the ability to share resources and communicate globally. Includes identity management services. 6.4 Data Management 6.5 Infrastructure Ensures that the Victoria IT infrastructure provides reliable storage, network, and computing capabilities with sufficient capacity. 6.6 In-House Research Applications Provide support for certain Victoria developed or managed research applications, where such support is beneficial to Victoria. Strategy for IM Support of Research 6

9 7 PROJECTS 7.1 Research Services Catalogue Project: Establish Research Services Catalogue Database / Repository of VUW and worldwide services that available to Vic researchers Web page (continually updated) Link to Library 7.2 Advice and Support Project: New Staff Orientation Focus on new researcher and doctoral candidates Create or supplement orientation process to include IM resources, services, requirements, etc. Collaborate with Library Project: Research Support Specialists Maintain and update Research Services Catalogue (above) and to respond to queries Track usage, queries, new requirements Expansion into technical support (similar to T&L) Link to Library Create research service relationship model Project: Establish Research Project Support Establish means of providing comprehensive, tailored IT support to research projects. 7.3 Collaboration Project: Eduroam Project: Identity Management (beyond CSU s) Project: Expand Desktop Videoconferencing Pilot Project: Identify and Review Current Collaboration Solutions 7.4 Digital Resource Management (develop in collaboration with Library) Project: Establish Research Digital Resource Management Strategy Assess University-wide Digital Resource Management Needs Develop Victoria wide policies Implement appropriate services Project: Establish Digital Literacy Project Training and services Led by Library? 7.5 Infrastructure (Storage, Computing, Network) Storage Roadmap Establish Basic Performance Level Mass Storage Strategy for IM Support of Research 7

10 Review Need for Different Performance levels based on Needs Assessment Provide Various Access Mechanisms Network Architecture (2009) Include significant improvements to Remote Access Link to Security Architecture International Links Computing Link to JH Proposal (Mahoe Reassessment) 7.6 Applications (In-House) Project: Mahoe Reassessment Expand Research Applications Platform Potential Computing Network Project: Identify and Review Current In-House Applications Strategy for IM Support of Research 8

11 8 GOVERNANCE 1. Collaboration and consultation with academic community is essential 2. Primary vehicle for facilitating this is ITAAG 3. Restructure ITAAG with early adaptors and people with actual (as opposed to on paper) influence 4. E-research champion chairs ITAAG but has a separate role for advancement of e-research, which he may or may not choose to exercise through the ITAAG 5. ITAAG role is to set and monitor strategy for e-research support on behalf of ITSOC 6. ITAAG to facilitate and control innovation (proposed innovation roadmap to be detailed here) Strategy for IM Support of Research 9

12 Loose Ends: licensing visualization grid computing curation access grid Strategy for IM Support of Research 10