Research Computing project | Developing an IT Services Portal for Researchers

One of Canada’s top research-intensive universities, Waterloo is committed to the continued support and advancement of its research environment. A foundational yet integral element of doing so is providing our research community with quick, convenient access to the information technology services available to support their work.  

The Research Computing project (an outcome of the IT Review) aims to implement initiatives and process improvements to coordinate, communicate, and make more accessible to researchers the campus-wide IT resources available that support research computing at the University. As part of this project, Information Systems & Technology (IST) will collaborate with campus partners to create an inventory of department and Faculty-based IT services currently available to researchers and will develop a website or "portal" that will provide convenient access to these services.    

Where we are 

Over the last several months, the project team engaged members of various academic support and Faculty units to begin to develop an inventory of the IT services that currently exist for researchers. User experience testing and consultation sessions are planned throughout May and June 2023, the findings of which will help substantiate efforts completed to date and inform the development of the IT services portal.  

Get involved 

Faculty members across all ranks and disciplines, as well as post-doctoral fellows, are welcome to participate in one user experience testing session. To view available session dates and register, please complete the IT Services for Researchers user experience consultation registration form.  

How we got here 

The IT Review, conducted between April 2019 and May 2020, was launched to assess the University of Waterloo's overall IT capability. The result of this work was captured in the Campus Information Technology Review Final Report (PDF) and included a number of recommendations for building on and enhancing Waterloo's IT landscape. Learn more about the Research Computing theme and recommendations for advancing learning and research at Waterloo. See also Waterloo’s 2020-2025 Strategic Plan for more on the University’s commitment to supporting and advancing research.