Innovating

Innovating to enable development and sharing of new systems, information and knowledge in research information and communication

ICT systems provide a vital tool for connecting people involved in the research communication cycle. To take full advantage of them,  INASP and our stakeholders need to be at the forefront of identifying the trends, the challenges and the opportunities in this fast-moving environment.

By supporting pilot projects and sharing case studies and best practice, INASP instigates and supports innovative approaches to enabling and strengthening access to, use, dissemination and communication of research information.

Some of these systems are currently being developed in response to demand, whilst others are already in place:

• Researchers: the innovative AuthorAID@INASP online Knowledge Community will support peer discussions, access to training materials, guides and tools, and mentoring— matching inexperienced researchers with volunteer senior researchers and experienced editors. As well as discussions about any aspect of research communication, special interest groups can interact, host web logs and share experience. Links to relevant websites and notices of events, awards, projects and articles of interest will link researchers into their peer community
• Editors: Open Source journal management software adapted in partnership with the Public Knowledge Project from their Open Journals System allows highly devolved content creation of journals including: submission, editorial review process, publication, open or paid for access, and online repositories of content created in partner countries
• Publishers and Librarians: an online registration database enables both publishers and librarians to manage their subscriptions by registering for resources, managing secure access and monitoring usage statistics. Also, Open Source software for facilitating access to content, such as federated search applications
• ICT Professionals: working closely with existing or emerging National Educational and Research Networks (NRENs) to support sharing of best practice, appropriate Open Source technological and policy based tools, and solutions for the effective use of ICTs and, in particular, bandwidth management and optimisation

Projects and Activities

Publications

Events