The EARNEST STUDY (Education And Research Networking Evolution STudy) Researchers’ Requirements Presented by Mike Norris on behalf of Thibaut

2 EARNEST in a nutshell (Education And Research Networking Evolution STudy) The EARNEST foresight study has been looking at the expected development of research and education networking in Europe over the next 5-10 years. EARNEST has been funded by the European Commission through the GN2 project, which also provides the funding for the current generation of the pan-European research and education backbone network, GÉANT2. The aim of EARNEST was to provide input for initiatives that could help to keep the evolution of European research networking at the forefront of worldwide developments and enhance the competitiveness of the European Research Area. EARNEST focuses on several study areas including the researchers’ requirements

3 Researchers’ Requirements. An end-users perspective! Overall objectives: Investigate the current and future requirements of researchers in respect of networks, services, applications and IT facilities Provide evidence of their impact on research in all disciplines

4 Methodology: A large-scale on-line survey across Europe in all disciplines and fields. A small in-depth survey. Figures: Over 11,500 researchers were contacted Over 4,400 filled questionnaires ~39% response rate over 60 countries in total EARNEST STUDY Researchers’ Requirements

5 Responses Research area Proportion Social sciences 18% Physics and related sciences 17% Life sciences 16% Environmental sciences 14% Humanities 9% Medical sciences 6% Chemistry 6% Mathematical sciences 6% IT and computer science 5% Materials science and engineering 4% Total4,300 By country By discipline

6 Highlights: Usage and Intensity of Use Frequently used (Daily / Weekly)Infrequently used (Less often) Used by the majority Person-to-person discussion/distribution lists Instant messaging Wireless access at place of work Transfer of large files Wiki Wireless access at other institutions Used by the minority VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) IPv6 IP telephony Video-conferencing Bandwidth reservation Encryption of data => Lack of knowledge of available tools  IPv6 (‘don’t knows’ - 42%)  Bandwidth reservation (31%)  Virtual Private Networks (16%)  Wiki (15%)  Encryption of data (14%)

7 An example: Video-conferencing usage

8 Services: Usage and Intensity of Use Frequently used (daily/weekly) Infrequently used (less often) Used by the majority Access to digital libraries Access to remote databases High-resolution visualisation of data Used by the minority Large computing facilities Computing Grids E-learning services for teaching activities Remote control of scientific instruments Identified changes in researchers behaviours: “I do not go to the library anymore. I get publications by searching material in databases.” “I have been working with colleagues from other countries in order to develop projects without travelling.” “I have access to data online that were just not available in the past.”

9 Another example: Digital libraries usage

10 Specific Irish results Across the study, Irish researchers are above the European average in terms of access and usage of network related services and tools.

11 Are you connected to a National Research Network? HEAnet is very well identified as a service provider in the Irish research communities compared to National Networks in other European countries

12 Main results and recommendations The e-Infrastructure is regarded as a major facilitator for research. There is a distinct high level of satisfaction and expectation. Concerns about the lack of user knowledge of services and tools. Growing demand for network support for scientific collaboration. Networking on a global level is seen as vital for the development of new research fields. The final report is available now! ServicesCooperationCapacities StandardisationSimplificationVirtualisation User-friendlinessAdaptationSustainability SecurityInter-disciplinaryInter-dependency AwarenessTrainingSupport Identified Priorities contact :