About
Vision
To build a more connected, capable, and researcher-focused approach to digital research support, which will improve access to systems, services, software, and training for researchers across the institution.
Mission
The Digital Research Commons Pilot (DRCP) will build into and around existing digital research support so that:
- Researchers can easily find and use the services, systems, training, and resources they need to succeed in their research.
- Service providers and support units can collaborate to identify support gaps and develop complementary and shared services that meet diverse needs across campus.
Key Functions
- Engage with the community: Identify needs, gaps, and opportunities for collaboration and co-create a vision for coordinated digital research support.
- Develop shared resources, services, and communities: Pilot the delivery of shared resources, services, and communities that require coordinated governance, with an initial focus on research data management, research IT security, research impact, and online data collection.
- Provide researchers a single support interface: Compile and present information about local, provincial, or national services and training opportunities and deliver support services to help researchers find what they need.
- Assess our approach: Continuously assess and refine our approaches to guide efforts during and beyond the pilot using the Context, Input, Process & Product (CIPP) program evaluation.
The DRCP is supported by the Provost’s Strategic Alignment Fund and is co-sponsored by Karen Mossman (Vice President, Research), Vivian Lewis (University Librarian), and Gayleen Gray (Assistant Vice President & Chief Technology Officer).
The pilot is being led by members of the sponsoring groups: Jay Brodeur (University Library), Angela Di Nello (RHPCS), Ranil Sonnadara (Office of the VPR), and Tracy Dallaire (Office of the AVP and CTO).
DRCP Resources
Reports
Presentations
Digital Research Glossary
Expandable List
Researchers across all fields rely on digital technologies to help plan, collect, organize, analyze, publish, and share their research. Digital research support comprises these technologies, as well as associated services, resources, systems, and people that work together to enable scholarly activity.
Digital research services facilitate the use of interconnected computing systems, networks, data, tools, and software to create, manage, protect, share, and preserve scholarly and artistic works. Services provided within this scope include supplying access to systems, software, support, and training necessary to use these resources effectively.
Digital research support at McMaster is complex, dynamic, and incorporates provincial and national infrastructure. At the DRCP, we will make digital research support at McMaster readily navigable and more adaptable to better support researchers.
DRCP Team
Core Team
Jay Brodeur
Associate Director, Digital Scholarship Services, University Library
Matthew Burns
Digital Research Technology Analyst, Digital Research Commons Pilot (DRCP), University Library
Tracy Dallaire
Director, Information Security Services, University Technology Services (UTS)
Angela Di Nello
Senior Manager, Digital Research Commons Pilot (DRCP), University Library
Kestrel McNeill
Graduate Student Assessment Coordinator
Ratika Sharma
Digital Research Systems Analyst, Digital Research Commons Pilot (DRCP), University Library
Katie Sonier
Digital Research Commons Research Assistant (III)
Ranil Sonnadara
Special Advisor to the Vice President (Research)
All Team
Greg Atkinson
Senior Manager Cyber Security Systems and Information Security Officer, Information Security Services, University Technology Services (UTS)
David Beardwood
Lead, Research Software Development, Research Software Development, University Library
Miroslav Cika
Research and IT Security Analyst, Information Security Services, University Technology Services (UTS)
Elias Eid
Research Software Developer, Research Software Development, University Library
Danica Evering
Research Data Management Specialist, Research Data Management, University Library
Jeffrey Demaine
Bibliometrics and Research Impact Librarian, Research Impact, University Library
Ola Hejazi
Research Software Developer, Research Software Development, University Library
Daniel Johnston
IT Operations Manager, Faculty of Social Science
Kelvin Lee
Research Software Developer, Research Software Development, University Library
Isaac Pratt
Research Data Management Specialist, Research Data Management, University Library
Kevin Wong
Senior Technical Support Analyst, Information Security Services, University Technology Services (UTS)
Jack Young
Digital Projects Librarian, Research Impact, Health Sciences Library