1. 22 nd February 2006 Virtual Research Environments Programme Presentation to JISC Committee for the Support of Research VRE Formative Evaluation: First Progress Report Johnny Kelleher & Kerstin Junge Tavistock Institute, London Programme formative evaluation team

2. Formative evaluation of the JISC VRE programme Draft Progress Report For timing reasons yet to be discussed with VRE Programme Advisory Board Formative Evaluation of JISC VRE

3. VRE Programme Progress Take 1: ‘Does it do exactly what it says on the tin?’ Formative Evaluation of JISC VRE

4. VRE Programme Progress Probably the best working definition of a VRE has been offered by Michael Foster at OCC: ‘a set of online tools, systems and processes interoperating to facilitate or enhance the research process within and without institutional boundaries’

5. Formative Evaluation of JISC VRE February 2006 VRE Programme Progress The call for proposals called for the development of tools and techniques for VREs which are appropriate; interoperable; distributed; extensible; end usable; open standard; secure; customisable; and add value … and, by and large, this is what the projects are doing

6. Learning about VREs Formative Evaluation of JISC VRE … and a key aim of the Programme was: ‘To provide a clear definition of what constitutes a VRE, its boundaries and how this function overlaps with other related technologies. … so, a process of discovery: evolving ideas liable to change February 2006

7. Formative Evaluation of JISC VRE February 2006 Learning about VREs Main Programme Objectives (as they emerged): Gain an increased understanding of the requirements for VREs, to support decision making on future activities in this area Produce tangible products and/or demonstrators of useable services & tools Begin moving technologies into the wider community Begin to change behaviours and cultures

8. Formative Evaluation of JISC VRE VRE Programme Progress The tasks of the formative evaluation are: To assess how effectively the selected projects are meeting the aims of the programme To identify common themes between projects where these exist To identity gaps in the work currently being undertaken To contribute to raising awareness of the programme and stimulating discussion … and by and large this is what we are doing

9. VRE Programme Progress Take 2: ‘Is the emperor fully clothed?’ Formative Evaluation of JISC VRE

10. VRE Programme Progress Abstract frameworks and actual TECHNOLOGIES Real project and programme weaknesses More user involvement and engagement needed Incomplete development cycles

11. VRE Programme Progress Take 3: ‘They all lived happily ever after?’ Formative Evaluation of JISC VRE

12. An integrated VRE programme structure Integrating and developing tools Piloting technologies with users Changing research practices