Research 2.0: Evolving Support for the Research Landscape

Abstract

With the advance of big science and cyberinfrastructure, academic institutions are faced with the issue of how to support not just well funded initiatives, but all research projects on campus. The University of PEI Library has developed a robust framework in terms of strategy, policy, education and the development of a Virtual Research Environment (VRE) in providing support for research. UPEI is a small academic institution with undergraduate, graduate and professional programs and generates close to $20 million in research funding annually. The recently produced Research Strategic Plan includes a number of recommendations for the provision of research infrastructure, a key to the development of the Library's role in providing the services and resources in this area. This is combined with a flexible approach to funding a centralized research infrastructure and the ongoing development of an open source research platform. The platform uses a Drupal/Fedora data repository and collaborative web environment that can accommodate a wide range of research requirements and also allow research groups to get up and running with as minimal or extensive an environment as appropriate. The session will includes examples of research groups from a range of disciplines using the VRE as well as next steps for the continued support of the research enterprise.