2011 Strategic Roadmap for Australian Research Infrastructure

Section E: Cross-disciplinary needs
Each of the current National Research Priorities identifies research from the
humanities, arts and social sciences as a key goal. However, research
infrastructure to maximise the benefits and reach of the major outputs of the social
and cultural sector is yet to be substantially supported. Appropriately resourced,
the Understanding Cultures and Communities Capability will address this
deficiency. Cross-Capability integration should be sought where possible, to
enable social and cultural research to feed directly into problem-solving within the
domains of science, health, border security, or other priority areas, and more
broadly to enhance investment in and synergies between existing Capabilities 29 .
Several of the facilities created under NCRIS, EIF or Super Science investment
programs for scientific research have already demonstrated a capacity to support
projects from multiple disciplines 30 . These projects indicate the potential to extend
data capture and exposure, data processing and analytical services to other
research communities. Examples include the Australian Microscopy and
Microanalysis Research Facility and other ‘characterisation’ facilities, ANDS and
National eResearch Collaboration Tools and Resources (NeCTAR), as well as
underpinning data networking provided through the National Research Network
(NRN) and the Australian Research and Education Network (AREN). Existing
Capabilities, such as the Atlas of Living Australia, are also potential models.
5.E.1
What are your views on the cross-disciplinary requirements identified,
including their relative priority and ability to support the current and future
research needs?
Section F: Current developments
In Australia there is a very limited number of humanities, arts and social sciences
projects of a scale which would have a major influence on future research
infrastructure investments. However, Australia is not alone in its need for robust
enabling technology solutions to support advanced research in the social and
cultural sector and large-scale investments are being made internationally.
In Europe, for example, the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures
(ESFRI) has identified a number of projects which aim to provide infrastructure
directly aligned with research needs in the humanities, arts and social sciences
and has prioritised them for action. Some projects have been funded and are
being implemented (e.g. the Council of European Social Science Data Archives,
and the European Social Survey Update), while others are funded and are moving
towards implementation (e.g. CLARIN [Common Language Resources and
Technology Infrastructure] and DARIAH [Digital Research Infrastructure for the
29
There is a growing number of examples of cross-disciplinary projects designed to address Australia’s large-scale
problems. Two projects focussing on the risks of climate change impacts that emphasise social research are: the Centre for
Water Sensitive Cities at Monash University (http://www.watersensitivecities.org.au/); and the National Climate Change
Adaptation Research Facility, funded by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
(http://www.nccarf.edu.au/).
30
Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network (AURIN) is one example.
50