Research Cyberinfrastructure Alliance

Working in partnership to enable computationally intensive, innovative,

interdisciplinary research for the 21st century

Discussion with CRAD

Ann Hill Duin and Bernard GulachekOctober 16, 2008

Cyberinfrastructure consists of computing systems, data storage systems, data repositories and advanced instruments, visualization environments, and people, all linked together by software and advanced networks to improve scholarly productivity and enable collaborative and interdisciplinary breakthroughs not otherwise possible.

--from joint CASC / Educause CCI discussions, 2008

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Research Cyberinfrastructure Support

in Fall 2007

How can I get support?

Proposed Vision

The Research Cyberinfrastructure Alliance (RCA) functions as a virtual organization of research support and information technology service providers, working to identify, align, advise and leverage a portfolio of research technology resources and support services throughout the University.

A key next step for the RCA is to develop strategies that enable researchers to easily find and engage with relevant research computing resources and support.

The alliance brings key groups together to align and leverage distributed strategic research cyberinfrastructure and related services to benefit researchers. By aligning our efforts, we can help faculty, technologists and research professionals plan, coordinate and conduct their projects.

By leveraging resources, we improve efficiency and effectiveness, and also provide input regarding future cyberinfrastructure investments for the University.

Office of the Vice President for Research

University Libraries

Office of Information Technology

Current attendees include:OVPR -- Minnesota Supercomputing InstituteUniversity LibrariesOffice of Information TechnologyUM Rochester

College of Liberal ArtsCollege of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource SciencesCollege of Biological Sciences

Position the University to enable computationally intensive, interdisciplinary research for the 21st century

Support, promote and sustain exceptional faculty – create a robust culture of collaboration that encourages and rewards boldness, imagination and innovation

Support and promote exceptional innovation – align resources to support strategic priorities

Support and promote exceptional organization – foster an environment of creativity that encourages the evolution of dynamic fields of inquiry

Informed and guided by faculty

Positive local ownership while leveraging expertise across the University

Open channels of communication among those supporting cyberinfrastructure at the U to create a coordinated system

Consistent outstanding faculty (researcher) experience

Alignment with local, state and national funding agencies

Baseline environmental scan to understand needs of researchers and existing research support structures.

• Research groups are each unique• While unique, all groups appear to have similar core needs• Researchers are ready to collaborate on technology

Wide variety of research and consultation

• U of M research units• National funding agencies• Educause and CASC• CIC CIOs

Facilitates coordination of university wide systems and services for researchers

Campus IT and research strategic plans are integrated and complimentary

Leveraging of resources to increase efficiency and effectiveness

All researchers are aware of the research technology services and support that are available

Increase of external funding / competitiveness

Advisory• Understand the needs and priorities of faculty in terms of cyberinfrastructure• Work closely with research center directors and collegiate IT directors to recommend

ways to forge a common research cyberinfrastructure with central and distributed leadership and support

• Investigate and make recommendations as to how the University can participate in state and national cyberinfrastructure efforts

Advocacy• Propose outreach processes to insure researchers are aware of cyberinfrastructure

services and resources that are available• Engage key stakeholders across the campus to spread the vision of cyberinfrastructure• Work to insure major granting agencies are aware of the University’s research

cyberinfrastructure alliance efforts• Provide coordinated outreach opportunities to recognize and publicize

cyberinfrastructure researchers and research projects

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RCA proposed model

RCAHow can I get support?

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