Melbourne to lead $67 million in Super Science projects

The University of Melbourne will lead two major research infrastructure projects worth $67 million that will help lead to more sustainable urban growth and will better connect the country's researchers through improved Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure. The initiatives, the National eResearch Collaboration Tools and Resources (NeCTAR) project and the Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network (AURIN), have been funded under the Commonwealth Government's Super Science scheme. The projects, while distinct, share a common goal of enhancing research collaboration and improving the necessary technology and research infrastructure needed to enhance research outcomes. The $47 million four-year NeCTAR project will develop infrastructure to boost national eResearch collaborations and simplify the combined use of instruments, data, computing and analysis applications. The project will also provide better access to multiple IT resources. Professor Geoffrey Taylor, from the University's School of Physics, has been appointed Interim Director of NeCTAR and said the project aimed to complement existing IT infrastructure where relevant and develop new technology to improve research capabilities. ?This project aims to help researchers at the coalface by improving Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure to help boost research collaboration and therefore research outcomes,? he said.