A groundbreaking report unveiled at the Digital Universities UK conference explores avenues to enhance the UK's digital research infrastructure (DRI), fostering a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive research sector.
Titled "Mapping Federation Journeys for Optimising the UK Digital Research Infrastructure," the report underscores the pivotal role of DRI in facilitating collaborative research and innovation systems nationwide and globally.
Commissioned by the UKRI digital research infrastructure committee (DRIC), the report was led by Jisc and features recommendations across seven key themes. It lays out a roadmap for cultivating a collaborative research culture through DRI, supporting multi-sector partnerships, inclusivity, and innovation. The report identifies the potential to revolutionize DRI by embracing collaborative and federated approaches, akin to the transformative shift toward open access two decades ago.
The report was presented and deliberated upon by an esteemed panel at the Digital Universities UK conference hosted at Exeter University. The panel comprised Richard Gunn, Programme Director of Digital Research Infrastructure at UKRI; Michael Ball, Head of Data Science at the Medical Research Council; Emma Gordon, Director of the Administrative Data Research UK Strategic Hub at the Economic and Social Research Council; and Thomas King, Assistant Director for Research at Queen Mary University.
Over 80 research experts contributed to the report, representing a diverse spectrum of stakeholders including research infrastructure leaders, policymakers, and funders. Insights were gathered through interviews covering various aspects of DRI development, policy, and leadership.
The release of this report marks a significant step toward fostering collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity within the UK's research landscape. It sets the stage for a more cohesive approach to sharing best practices and leveraging digital solutions to drive impactful research outcomes.
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