JISC

e-Infrastructure is the term used for the distributed computing infrastructure that provides shared access to large data collections, advanced ICT tools for data analysis, large-scale computing resources and high performance visualisation. It embraces networks, grids, data centres and collaborative environments. In spite of its importance to the UK’s research and science base, however, very few researchers currently consider e-infrastructure of benefit to their research. In spite of its importance to the UK’s research and science base, however, very few researchers currently consider e-infrastructure of benefit to their research.

To meet the challenge of engaging researchers in the continued development of the e-infrastructure and to gain a better understanding of how to make it more effective and more widely used, JISC and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) are funding a short, six-month study called SUPER to determine User Priorities for e-Infrastructure for Research in the UK e-Science programme.

The study will focus on a small number of succinct, precise and well-targeted recommendations to those providing, planning and funding e-Infrastructure that could have a beneficial impact to the user communities over the next 18 months. It will also set the scene for further analysis that should influence the allocation of future resources.

The project will deliver preliminary findings for public comment in late January 2007 and a workshop in late Spring to disseminate the report's conclusions to the wider community. Input for this report is being undertaken through a series of face-to-face meetings and an online survey URL. The responses from the survey will be used to determine the final set of face-to-face visits. The online survey is available at SUPER.