Enhancing the interface of the research
repository at The Glasgow School of Art,
through the development of RADAR
(Research art design architecture Repository)
Dr Robin Burgess
10th February 2012
Objective
• Illustrate the work undertaken at the Glasgow
School of Art - achievements
• The development of RADAR
• Comment on the impact that being part of the
JISC funded embedding research repositories
project has had on GSA - recommendations
• Detail future aspirations in the field
Firstly... Something Old
• Previous system set up
for RAE 2007
• Developed in Filemaker
• Poor interface
• Difficult for researchers
to use
• Little interoperability
Fig 1: Filemaker Interface
...Old (continued)
Figs 2 and 3: Additional screenshots of filemaker system
• Illustrating quite a complex looking database system
Secondly... Something New
• Through funding from
JISC, RADAR has been
developed
• Improved system
• Integrated with the new
GSA website
• Utilising Eprints technology
Fig 4: The improved repository interface
...New (continued)
Figs 5 and 6: Transition from idea to
reality
Taking sketches and
working with Eprints to
develop the working system
Thirdly... Something Borrowed
• GSA has received invaluable support during this
project from the Kultivate team
• To aid with the design and layout of the repository
ideas from Enlighten were looked at as well as the
University of the Creative Arts repository
• The design and development of the repository was
significantly enhanced due to the contributions from
Eprints and ScreenMedia, the web development team
Finally... Something ‘Blue’
• ‘Blue’ in the sense that
we have not completed
development
• Encountered some
initial conflict with the
system
• Testing and refinement
• Performing a mock
REF exercise
Fig 7: The current look
However...
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We do have a new functioning repository
Staff are engaged in using the system
Over 300 deposits in the space of 2 weeks
Increased understanding of depositing
Staff appear to be enjoying using the system
The system will continue to be developed
Achievements
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An improved front and back end interface
Improved support for non-text deposits
Connection and buy-in from users
An enhanced system based on usability, design,
aesthetics and user needs
• Greater interoperability with other research repositories
across the UK
• Involvement in repository related events such as the DCC
Roadshow and Repository Fringe
• The actual production of RADAR, our improved repository
(a great achievement for GSA)
Beneficiaries
Internal
• Students
• Academic Staff
• Support Staff
• Repository
• Managerial Staff
External
• Academics, students, researchers and practitioners
• Research assessors
• Repository community
Immediate Impact
• Improved depositing of research outputs by academic staff
• Greater sharing of information between schools present at
GSA
• Improved collaborative research and knowledge exchange
• Enhanced presence on the web for research outputs
• Easy and more accessible system for research staff
• Impact on the approach to REF
• Record keeping of research outputs
• Alignment of GSA with other institutes with regard to
research repositories
• Enhanced knowledge of digital data management
Future Impact
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The impact brought about by the integration of RADAR within the ethos of
research at GSA will continue as the system develops further.
The current impact has been positive and this will be enhanced. This enhanced
impact will come about following the application of advocacy methodologies for
helping researchers to understand and use the system to greater extent.
The repository is likely to impact on other data management systems in the
future, as additional modules and capabilities are looked into for the system.
In addition to the impact that the repository will have on GSA, our involvement in
this project has brought about our involvement in the Kaptur project being
managed by VADS.
The development of RADAR will influence the policies that we devise through
involvement in this project. Therefore it can be stated that over the coming
years GSA will be heavily involved in aspects related to data management and
methods for doing this.
This has resulted in the development of a working group to tackle aspects of
data management within the school, not just research related data, but data and
resources throughout the school.
Recommendations
• Engaging with Eprints
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(Why?)
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Eprints is emerging as the most widely used repository system in higher education with 101 institutes in
the UK using it – including many arts institutes
It allows interoperability between institutes – making us inline with other institutes and more visible
EPrints will be optimised for the REF, which will lead to significant efficiency savings – reducing staff
time in REF preparation. EPrints are working with HEFCE to develop a REF module for all EPrints
repositories
EPrints have the capacity to host and help maintain the repository and have all the standards and
facilities in place to do this
The EPrints repository can be designed and tailored to user needs and will be much more user-friendly
and accessible for staff – academics and support staff
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• Sound communication strategies
• Clear project management
The Future of RADAR...
• Heavily centred around its use for REF 2014
• Reducing administrative burdens
• New developments and enhanced
integration within GSA, particularly within
Information Services and the Library
• Continued collaboration with JISC, DCC and
Kultivate/Kaptur and internationally
• Improved advocacy within GSA
Concluding
Comments
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This project has proved very beneficial to GSA in enabling us to enhance our research
repository with regard to embedding it within the institute through integration with the new
GSA website, and improving the take-up of the repository through the improved user-interface
developed with the aid of EPrints software and design capabilities shared by ScreenMedia.
This project has also increased GSAs knowledge of research repositories. Many lessons
have been learnt in relation to the management of research outputs and the development of
data management systems. This knowledge has been aided by help from EPrints and from the
wider community, particularly those institutes who are part of the Kultivate project.
It is hoped that the lessons GSA have learnt can be shared with other institutes who may be
embarking on a project to enhance their research repositories, with particular focus on
extrapolating from a simple database tool to an institutional repository that has increased
capabilities.
Finally, at GSA it will be the role of the research information manager to maintain and manage
the repository. This will be in relation to future developments and utilisation of the tool.
GSA are pleased to now be part of the repository community/network thanks to our involvement
in this JISC funded project
Acknowledgements
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JISC for providing the funding for us to be able to develop RADAR
The contribution and support from Balviar Notay and Laurian Williamson
The Eprints team, particularly Tim Miles-Board and Justin Bradley
The team from ScreenMedia, particularly Jon Carlos
The researchers at GSA who have been patient while the new system
has been developed and have provided feedback when required –
particular thanks goes to Daisy Abbott from the Digital Design Studio
• The support I have received from the Information Services Team at
GSA
• The external support recevied from other institutes and the Kultivate
Group, particularly Marie-Therese Gramstadt.
THANKYOU!
http://radar.gsa.ac.uk
(Coming Soon!)
And look out for the follow up to ‘The Repository Song’ as
performed at the Repository Fringe
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKl2yK64RVc)