Accelerating Transition To Virtual Research Organisation In Social Science (AVROSS)

Abstract

The main goal of the AVROSS study was to better understand the reasons behind the low level of adoption of e-Infrastructures by the social sciences and humanities (SSH) and support European policy-making. For this purpose, AVROSS conducted eight case studies of e-Infrastructures and an exploratory survey of early adopters in Europe, the US and beyond. The results point to several challenges for widening use of e-infrastructures in SSH fields such as matching e-Science and fieldspecific cultures and practices, developing and implementing successful strategies for recruiting users, and winning reputed domain scientists for the e-Science cause (as multipliers and to gain credibility). The study recommended among other things to step up the role of e-Infrastructure in graduate education, involve users at all stages, support the development of service-oriented business models, invest in addressing data confidentiality concerns and institute a research programme on e-Infrastructures in SSH.