CERIF and euroCRIS meetings to be hosted by UKOLN

Research information managers will have an opportunity to participate in a series of euroCRIS and CERIF meetings in Bath in February 2012, hosted by UKOLN. Note that that an Introduction to CERIF document is available for those who are unfamiliar with CERIF (PDF format).

For the first time euroCRIS task group meetings will be co-located, and preceded by a CERIF tutorial and data surgery. UKOLN, euroCRIS and JISC are jointly organising these events on 9-10 February. CERIF, the Common European Research Information Format, is now being widely used in UK higher education institutions as a result of many recent procurements of CERIF-based CRIS (Current Research Information Systems) – particularly during 2010 and 2011. However staff in many institutions have expressed the desire to strengthen their understanding of CERIF in order to better exploit the opportunities offered by this powerful (and complex) standard. The meetings are being supported by the JISC Research Information Management (RIM) Programme which is working to increase engagement with CERIF and support the emerging community of practice in the UK.

An introductory CERIF tutorial will be held on the morning of 9 February. In the afternoon there will be a ‘data surgery’ session which will examine the use of CERIF in real life scenarios. The aim is both to support new adopters of CERIF and to consolidate existing expertise. The afternoon session will therefore be divided into two groups – one for those new or relatively new to CERIF, and another for more advanced users. Participants are being asked to bring CERIF queries and data modelling/mapping issues for discussion with CERIF experts.

On 10 February five euroCRIS task groups will meet in parallel sessions. See the agendas and note that CERIF expertise is not required to participate. Task group leaders are keen to gather UK RIM experience.

The meetings are open, and all those involved in research information management (eg CRIS managers and IT staff, metadata/repository managers, research office staff…) are strongly encouraged to participate.

Note that the closing date for registration is 3 February.