Facilitators
Peter Sefton (University of Southern Queensland), Jim Downing (Univesity of Cambridge), Anna Gerber (University of Queensland), and Peter Murray-Rust (University of Cambridge)
Abstract
In keeping with the theme of this conference, 'no boundaries' this BoF session will explore how the World Wide Web can be used to leap the boundaries, break the barriers and storm the barricades which circumscribe and constrain eResearch. Building on Tim Berners-Lee's four rules for Linked Data, we will explore two design patterns: (a) bringing semantic web systems down to the desktop and the lab so that researchers see their data linked to the web from the instant it is created; and (b) using Linked Open Data (LOD).
One clear boundary in eResearch is the demarcation between the research desktop/lab-computer and the Data Commons. We will look at some efforts to bring the semantic web to the desktop. Alongside this, we will consider the needs of the research community, to be able to refer to resources on both sides of the desktop/commons boundary. Also, for data to be truly interoperable, we must hurdle the social and legal barriers presented by data licensing, and so the second part of our message is to use Open Data licenses as well, creating Linked Open Data (LOD). Without widespread open licenses, Fear Uncertainty and Doubt will prevent practical data inter-operation.
This BoF session will bring together those who are already producing and publishing Linked Open Data, and those who want to know more, to discuss LOD exemplars and challenges. It will consist of a short introductory presentation (15-20mins) on the whys and wherefores of Linked Data, followed by short presentations on examples where Linked Data has been effectively produced, and demonstrations of tools that can be used to produce and manage Linked Data. The aim will be to effectively communicate the opportunities and challenges of Linked Data through these presentations, and hopefully move towards consensus on solutions through the ensuing discussion.
About the facilitators
Peter Sefton has been working in software development for 14 years, specializing in content management and repository systems and currently leads the Software Research and Development Laboratory in the Australian Digital Futures Institute. Peter previously led the technical team on the RUBRIC project and has been a Senior Research Fellow in the Distance and e-Learning Centre at the University of Southern Queensland. His recent experience is with eResearch tools and institutional repository software. Peter has worked in the vocational and higher education sectors both as a faculty member, general staff member and consultant for a commercial educational services provider.
Jim Downing is Software Development Manager at the Unilever Centre for Molecular Science Informatics at the University of Cambridge (UCC). He leads the architectural design and development of information systems covering a broad range of chemistry-related fields, from crystallography to text-mining and computation to word-processing . He has a particular interest in repository interoperability, having served as co-chair of the JISC Common Repository Interfaces Group and as the main author of the 1.3 SWORD (Simple Web-service Offering Repository Deposit) specification.
Before joining UCC, Jim worked on the DSpace software as part of the DSpace@Cambridge project, coming from a commercial background providing public sector informatics systems.
Anna Gerber is the Senior Software Engineer for Aus-e-Lit (http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~eresearch/projects/aus-e-lit/), a NeAT-funded project that aims to provide collaborative annotation services, federated searching, graphical empirical reporting and compound-object authoring and publishing services for researchers, scholars and teachers of Australian Literature. Aus-e-Lit is a collaboration between the ITEE eResearch group at the University of Queensland, and AustLit: The Australian Literature Resource.