Digital Repositories are knowledge resources essential for the European Research Area much in the same way data transport network, grid computing resources or data storage are.
There is, in fact, a growing strategic relevance of Scientific Digital Repositories for Europe's objectives of a Single Information Space. Digital technologies provide the possibilities for exchanging and sharing information and knowledge and, on the other hand, massive quantities of information need to be managed to be really of use. Therefore, there is an opportunity to build in Europe a strong base of scientific and educational digital repositories as part of the European Research Infrastructure which is witnessed by the e-IRG and ESFRI roadmaps and the key initiatives in several European Member States.
In that context, the European Commission is preparing the seventh framework programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (FP7) and is carrying a number of impact assessment initiatives addressing the area of Digital Repositories and Knowledge Infrastructures as background of future policy work.
Recognising that in order to build a European base for a Knowledge Infrastructure People, Information and Technology must be available, connected and accessible, the objective of the workshop is to discuss the development of Digital Repositories from the perspective of e-Infrastructure.
The issues to be covered include several aspects for debate such as:
- Prospective views on Knowledge Infrastructures and their impact in different scientific areas of research and education
- Review of different sides of a Knowledge Infrastructure: technological, operational and organisational and in the context of the purpose and usage
- Lessons learned from different initiatives in EU Member States (and other regions) and how could these help in tailoring pan-European initiatives
For further information, please visit:
http://cordis.europa.eu/ist/rn/ri-cnd/wshop-080606.htm