Current DRAC priorities
DRAC focuses on strategic areas such as digital research capability uplift, support and awareness, research software engineering, and research data management. We also provide collaborative advice and support across a range of areas focussed on digital research resources, infrastructure and capability to support researchers and professional research teams.
Have an idea or ambitious digital project? Need guidance on resources, policy or infrastructure or the right team(s) at to support your digital research needs?
Advancing Research 2030 includes plans to enhance research communications, including resources for researchers and comms to researchers, and coordinated complex digital research support. This particular work is being advanced and coordinated by the DRAC team in conjunction with stakeholders. Broadly, our initiatives aim to:
‘Streamline and improve internal digital communications and enablers for researchers to improve the awareness, access, use and support of digital research infrastructure, tools, and resources at the University.’
In 2025 and through 2026 DRAC are working on three key initiatives:
Get it done on Gateway
This project aims to give researchers a new way to access resources on the Research Gateway through new web pages and a tools and resources directory. This is being co-designed based around the research lifecycle and the activities researchers may undertake at different stages in the lifecycle.
Overview
- Finding the right digital research tools and resources can be overwhelming
- Introducing a streamlined entry point to locate digital research resources
- All the tools you need, at every stage of your research
- Connect with expert teams, and access training and support
- Regular updates ensure information is relevant and accurate.
Digital research support request portal
This will allow researchers to request software engineering and data services support for Tier 3 requests that are not covered by standard University platforms and services. The portal will circulate a researcher’s request to all parties at the University who may be able to help. The portal will allow the tracking and follow-up of all requests to help ensure the University and units within are able to provide the services being requested.
Overview
- Complex support needs often lead researchers on a wild goose chase
- One entry point for all your advanced digital research support needs
- Your request reaches all potential helpers across the university
- Track and update your request on its journey from submission to resolution
- Building a clearer picture of researcher needs and organisational support capabilities.
Researcher first communications
This project aims to build on existing communications platforms to enable new central web and email-based mechanism to provide targeted and customisable announcements, news and events of an operational nature to researchers. This coordinated approach will help ensure researchers gain access to the right information at the right time, and support professional teams to reach a wider audience.
Overview
- Researchers struggle to find relevant information amidst the noise
- Proposing a central research communications hub
- Set your preferences, get information relevant to you
- Recieve curated news and opportunities via email or browse online - your choice
- For teams, spend less time managing email lists, more time supporting researchers.
