Project summary

Funding - 168K project funded by UKRI programme: National Federated Compute Services NetworkPlus 

Timeline - 1st August 2025 to 31st July 2026

Aim - The project aims to inform strategic roadmaps for a national federated compute infrastructure using environmental data as a pilot use case. It focuses on embedding user-centred approaches into federated compute services by:

  • Mapping interdisciplinary communities and user archetypes.
  • Gathering user stories and needs.
  • Understanding how federated roadmaps link together.
  • Formalising a network of experts to provide recommendations for future federated services.

Core project team - Monica Hanley, Poppy Townsend, Jennifer Bulpett, Ola Podgorska, Louise Darroch, Matthew McCormack, Carl Watson, Maura Halstead, Paulius Tvaranavicius

Previous research - The project builds on the outcomes of the BOOST-EDS project  - specifically the work on 'User centred approaches for environmental data services: embedding co-creation and collaboration'. 

It also leverages work from the AMPLIFY-EDS project and the NERC Digital Solutions Programme.

About the project

Emerging technologies and large-scale data create growing demands for advanced computing resources, but environmental and economic costs can be prohibitive. Federated systems offer FAIR access to technology and data through collaboration, but challenges exist (e.g., cultural differences, jargon, inconsistent user experiences).

This project will use environmental data as a pilot to explore cross-domain user needs - and how these can be successfully embedded into roadmaps for federated data services.

We will produce outputs including:

  1. A map of interdisciplinary communities
  2. User archetypes and needs mapping
  3. Literature-based and user-generated stories/use cases
  4. An evidence-based recommendations report for federated compute roadmaps

The long-term goal is to ensure UKRI investments in federated compute services are targeted, impactful, and aligned with user needs.

Project reports 

To be added after project end date.

Next steps for BOOST-EDS

To be added after project end date.