eResearch – isn’t that just “research”? Derek Whitehead Vice President, ALIA

What is e-research? The term ‘e-Research’ encapsulates research activities that use a spectrum of advanced ICT capabilities and embraces new research methodologies emerging from increasing access to: Broadband communications networks, research instruments and facilities, sensor networks and data repositories; Software and infrastructure services that enable secure connectivity and interoperability; Application tools that encompass discipline-specific tools and interaction tools. Rhys Francis (at right)

Quick acronym survey SII (Strategic Infrastructure Initiative) was the five year funding program which preceded NCRIS NCRIS (National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy) – runs from NCRIS Roadmap: 12 capabilities Platforms for Collaboration (PfC), the NCRIS capability that deals with infrastructure, headed by Rhys Francis. What libraries do is infrastructure. eResearch Coordinating Committee (ERCC) existed briefly in to set us on the right path. Chaired by Mike Sargeant.

Acronym survey... more Some infrastructure existed before 2007 AARNet (Aust Academic & Research Network) APAC (Aust Partnership for Advanced Computing) AREN (Aust Research & Education Network) ARROW and APSR and more... ASHER MAMS (Meta Access Mgmt System) and Shibboleth (not an acronym) and now AAF (Aust Access Federation) or

Acronym survey... final and some didn’t exist, yet NCI (National Computational Infrastructure) ICI (Interoperation & Collaboration Infrastructure) ANDS (Australian National Data Survey) AeRIC (Australian e-Research Infrastructure Council), chair: Tom Cochrane, ED: Rhys Francis NeAT (Nat eResearch Architecture Taskforce), chair: Rhys Francis

Just a few more DIISR (Innovation, Industry Science and Research) ARC (Australian Research Council) NH&MRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)

Issues – first take (2007) 1)Data – how to cope 2)Tools – Australia benefits from open source 3)Authorisation 4)Computing – not costed into NCRIS 5)Networking – seen by IT as a security issue 6)Expertise – preoccupation with having it in house Tools, data and expertise are the hardest.

Money PfC has $75m out of $540m over 5 years

Copyright Rhys Francis: “If you defined a data right, it is not clear that you would end up with copyright.”

Authentication Australian Access Federation (AAF) – to quote Rhys Francis again, “harder than we thought.” Turning shibboleth into a reality

How we see the issues now (2008) 1)Access frameworks 2)Collaboration support – social software & technologies as well as networks 3)Data capture, management & curation 4)Modelling and computational analysis 5)Connectivity – both backbone and end-to- end 6)Discipline development and support services Which are the “library” issues?

eResearch and libraries Research life cycle – discovery, activity, data creation, data management, dissemination, storage, archiving, preservation or curation Information management is a role Focus on the user and wider community Particular focus on the humanities Some roles we have now: metadata, copyright, information provider, training, repositories, publishers (open access, alternative channels)

CAUL strategies Develop policy and advocacy skills Develop relevant capabilities, like data management Develop new roles and build on old ones – e.g. training in research information skills; copyright; metadata Involve records managers and archivists Facilitate collaboration Different approaches exist – facilitation vs hand- holding

Policy and advocacy Discussions with / presentations to DVCs/PVCs Research, DDOGS, research administrators (ARMS) Work with ICT and computer science people Lobby funding bodies – ARC, DIISR, NCRIS Participate in relevant forums Work within institutions Develop advocacy and tools ASHER funding is significant Strategic planning by CAUL – lessons we can share

Data management: what we do? Data: any information that can be stored in digital form: text, images, audio, video, 3D, software Movie is up to 10GB (=10,000 big books), iPod Touch holds 32GB. What does this mean to us? Terms used: Curation, archiving and preservation Confused vocabulary: digital library, repository, database, data management, digital archive. Training: identify key training needs, encourage LIS schools, run seminars

More on data management Data management plan: “A plan that describes the data that will be authored as well as how the data will be managed and made accessible throughout its lifetime.” (Nat Science Board) Increasingly required Might include purpose, type, authors and owners, metadata schema, standards, size, architecture, formats, software used, access, confidentiality, archiving and transition provisions. Is this what we do? Not at present.

ANDS NUMBER SIZE Community agreed data investment; intended for sharing Services: Find Mine Access Authorise Independent research; Data used and retained Collections; Data published, local repositories CRCs MNRFs Centres; Data may be used, shared or published Services: stores, repositories, tools, expertise B C D E F A

ANDS: Three responsibilities institutions, researchers... Institutions: develop and implement policy on data ownership, Provide guidelines to researchers on ownership, maintain durable records on data, provide secure systems for holding data and for granting access to that data. Researchers: determine what data to keep, considering research community practice and project or legal requirements, ensure research data is retained using institutionally provided mechanisms (5 years), ensure that data retention passes to the institution, keep confidentiality where it exists

... and ANDS ANDS: Provide implementations of the federated services broker solutions for collections to fast track e ‑ Research development build expertise and provide outreach services ‘training the trainers’ ensure promulgation and use of simple legal frameworks and access templates

The Future - Institutions Host and/or Owner of intellectual capital Repository of knowledge or data Competitor, ally or promiscuous collaborator Provision of resources: physical, access, human support Integrity management: ethics, identity

Review of the National Innovation System CAUL made a response. See Pages/SubmissionstotheReview.aspx Repository management and eResearch Increase funding to data management Greater access to government data National digitisation strategy Greater accessibility of information IP to be considered in the national strategy Funding for skills development

Acknowledgements Some slides courtesy of Rhys Francis and his masterful presentation at the IATUL Conference in Auckland, April 2008 as well as C.ppt Cathrine Harboe-Ree, CAUL’s e- research expert. Balloons courtesy of brave and foolhardy people. eResearch courtesy of balloonists