Research Computing strategy 2012-2015
1. Vision
To provide innovative and advanced digital technologies and research computing services of nationally and internationally recognised quality and standards, which will facilitate research excellence at the University of St Andrews.
2. Mission
To support research processes and outcomes through the provision of high-quality, dependable technical solutions for the storage and publication of digital research data and other outputs throughout their life-cycle by:
- providing technical support and advice to research projects within the University of St Andrews;
- assisting with Research Data Management procedures;
- preserving digital data in the long term;
- supporting the academic principles of transparency of process and of distributed peer review through the adoption of an Open Development Method for the creation of software and research tools.
3. Strategic priorities
Throughout the period 2012 to 2015 the Research Computing Service will continue a process of transformational change to IT provision in the University that is responsive to the needs of the institution and of researchers. Where appropriate, new areas of service provision will be developed based on identified needs.
Priorities of the service include:
- establishing new members of the team;
- consolidating the currently established service provision;
- extending the service offering to include other faculties such as Sciences, Medicine, and Divinity;
- establishing closer links with the Library.
4. Operational framework
4.1. National and international levels
Activities of the service are determined by recognised national and international best practices related to the creation and handling of research data and by the use of accepted standards.
Best practices that are of relevance to the service are, amongst others, detailed in:
- OECD Principles and Guidelines for Access to Research Data from Public Funding (2007),
- Keeping Research Data Safe (2008),
- Sustainable Economics for a Digital Planet (2010),
- Managing Research Data (2012).
The Research Computing service interfaces with academic workflows that require transparency and openness and with emerging research funder requirements in regard to the publication of electronic research outcomes. This focus along with associated recognised best practices and recommendations require the service to comply, wherever possible, with a set of technical and procedural standards that form basic operational principles:
- For technical development work and data creation the use of Open Source software and Open Standards will be preferred over proprietary or closed software and standards.
- The emphasis of the service on Research Data Management (RDM) and on Digital Preservation (DP) mean that the service will comply or work towards complying with a number of procedural standards, including:
- Open Archival Information System (OAIS, ISO 14721:2003),
- Data Seal of Approval (DSA),
- Trustworthy Repositories Audit and Certification (TRAC, ISO 16363:2012), and
- Information Security Management System (IMIS, ISO 27001).
In addition to recognised professional standards and best practices, the operational framework for the Research Computing Service is determined by funder and legislative requirements. The RCUK Common Principles on Data Policy and the resulting EPSRC Policy Framework on Research Data are of especial relevance.
As demanded by the EPSRC Policy Framework, the service will – as far as it is within the IT Services remit – implement effective mechanisms for “data curation” throughout the “data lifecycle”. In line with EPSRC requirements “data curation” and “data lifecycle” are defined by the Digital Curation Centre (DCC).
4.2. Institutional level
Within the University the Research Computing Service is aligned with the University of St Andrews Research Data Management Roadmap (2012-2015) and with the ICT Strategy 2012-2015.
5. Aims
5.1. Research Data Management
In collaboration with other parts of the University, the Research Computing team will take the lead in the further development and implementation of RDM services and procedures within IT Services.
This aim supports the EPSRC requirement for full institutional compliance with their policy framework by 1st May 2015, the University of St Andrews Research Data Management Roadmap, and the vision expressed in the ICT Strategy of “providing an empowering platform … for knowledge creation and exchange” directly.
5.1.1. The Research Computing Service will build on existing service provision and will develop further into an academic data service for the research community within the University of St Andrews.
Supporting activities:
5.1.2. The Research Computing Service will review its infrastructure to align it with recognised RDM, DP and information security standards; and, based on identified need, will expand the infrastructure to allow for economies of scale at the institutional level.
Supporting activities:
- Review of existing infrastructure
- Development and maintenance of repository-type technical solutions that cater for a variety of institutional and user needs:
- Digital Archiving Project
- Image database
- Video database
- Digital Humanities repository (Library)
- ViDaaS
- RDM Roadmap implementation projects
5.1.3. Drawing on the expertise from national bodies like JISC, the DCC and the Digital Preservation Coalition as well as on the experience of other UK universities the Research Computing Service will in collaboration with colleagues from the Library implement RDM procedures and associated standards and best practices to take care of aspects of data retention and security. Where ever possible use will be made of recognised existing work that has been carried out by other organisations, such as the use of the Research Information Network categorisation of research data.
Supporting activities:
- RDM roadmap implementation
5.2. Service expansion
In support of RDM and the goal of IT Services to make the service more widely available within the University, the Research Computing Service aims to expand.
5.2.1. Include the faculties of Sciences, Medicine and Divinity in existing and developing service provision.
Supporting activities:
- RDM roadmap implementation
- implementation of repository-type technical solutions
- extension, where appropriate, of existing service provision to researchers outside the Faculty of Arts
5.2.2. Outside the Sciences some of the research undertaken is unfunded or has unfunded periods. To support unfunded research the service aims to expand its development remit to academically prioritised unfunded projects.
Supporting activities:
- increased emphasis on RDM planning (as part of the RDM roadmap implementation)
- investigate possibilities for academic prioritisation of development work for unfunded projects, e.g. through an academically led prioritisation board
5.3. Service review
To keep service provision aligned with the needs of the University and users and to implement best practice in RDM, a regular review process will be introduced.
5.3.1. The Research Computing Service will implement a rolling process that reviews academic support needs and the appropriateness of the services provided.
Supporting activities:
- RDM planning exercises as part of involvement in applications for research funding
- rolling Data Asset Framework (DAF) audits of 4-5 Schools per year
- annual Collaborative Assessment of Research Data Infrastructure and Objectives (CARDIO) audits that with the help of the DCC were customised to suit the local context.
5.4. Leadership and collaboration
In line with the RDM Roadmap, the Research Computing Service aims to lead and to actively participate in national and regional research data initiatives, to be regarded as a partner of choice for collaborative work within its areas of expertise, and to be seen by other institutions as an authoritative source of information and advice.
5.4.1. The service aims to provide a high quality of service and expertise in relevant areas that will allow it to become nationally recognised and join the Network of Expert Centres.
Supporting activities:
- RDM and DP service developments
- continuous involvement in research projects dealing with technical implementation and development needs
- application for Network of Expert Centre membership
- presentations at regional and national workshops and conferences
5.5. Skills and knowledge
In support of EPSRC expectations, the RDM Roadmap and the ICT Strategy, the Research Computing Service will actively engage with the University community to promote and disseminate RDM and other relevant skills.
Supporting activities:
- work with CAPOD to develop and deliver staff and student development courses in identified areas of need
- provide internship opportunities for PG-Rs and PG-Ts to obtain experience and relevant transferable skills
- organisation of Research Computing workshops
