The VeRSI eResearch Award has been established to recognize research that is utilising ICT to enhance the research processes and outcomes. This is achieved though enabling collaboration and the sharing of data, in addition to providing access to ICT tools and resources that simplify, streamline and automate research processes.
There are many interpretations of eResearch - the DEST eResearch Coordinating Committee definition is:
“ ... those enabling information and communication technologies (ICTs) which researchers use increasingly to support their research endeavours. The research environments emerging from the increasing use of distributed high-performance computing resources, data resources, scientific instruments and communications technologies are enabling researchers to perform their research independent of time and geographical location. Researchers have the potential to interact with colleagues, access remote instrumentation, share digital libraries.”
Given the breadth of this definition discretion will reside with the award Selection Panels to determine whether an activity is classified as incorporating eResearch.
The awards will be assessed on merit, where the applicant demonstrates the benefit that has been achieved by the application of ICT to research. The criteria for the award are:
- The research must be in either the sciences or humanities, arts and social sciences (HASS). Applicants must nominate which category the research falls into on the application form.
- The Principal Investigator, or one of the principal investigators, must come from a Victorian organisation.
- The research must be undertaken by Victorian researchers, although it may include collaborators from other States.
- Applicants must describe their projects and clearly indicate the benefits they are deriving from incorporating ICT in their work.
- Projects where a Principal Investigator is involved in one of the VeRSI projects are ineligible for consideration for the award.
Any enquiries about the award should be directed to Gaby Bright, the VeRSI eResearch Communications Manager.
