Seeking beta-testers for the new RCD Capabilities Model Tool

The Research Computing and Data (RCD) Capabilities Model is rolling out a new web-based version of the assessment tool that offers a much better user experience and is backed by a database that provides a more robust platform for data analysis. We need volunteers to beta test the new tool. 

Whether you are one of the over 180 institutions who requested a past assessment, or if you are new to the process, your feedback and perspective is valuable as we work to continually improve the tool. We will retain all data from the beta testing period, and so (barring any unforeseen problems), you can complete your actual 2023 submission, while also providing us valuable feedback to improve the new tool. 

How do I participate in beta testing?

Check out our Beta Testing guide, and then just  log in to the portal using your institutional credentials (you can also use Google or Microsoft to authenticate). Along the way, please use this Feedback Document to share any issues, challenges, or successes you experience. If you’d like a refresher on the RCD Capabilities Model, see the updated User Guide. 

Not familiar with the RCD Capabilities Model? Keep reading to learn more.  

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People Network and Other Community Calls for October

Greetings Community Members! 
Mark your calendars for these upcoming People Network calls (Zoom details at the end). For handy calendar entries, try the CaRCC Events Calendar.
If you’re not on our mailing lists, please fill out our Join the People Network form and join our Slack channels.

Data-Facing Track (1st Tuesdays)

The Data Science Ethos – Infusing the research process with ethics and human dimensions
Speaker: Steve Van Tuyl, Program Manager, Academic Data Science Alliance
Tue. Sep 5, 1p ET/ 12a CT/ 11a MT/ 10a PT

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Where does RCD sit in the organization?

Many people have asked where RCD programs typically report in the university hierarchy. We have data from about 140 institutions using the RCD Capabilities model including a mix of different Carnegie Classifications but dominated by R1 and R2 institutions (about 2/3 of the total). Here’s how they described their reporting relationship:

While the dominant model is within central or campus IT, quite a few programs are run out of a college, department, or institute, and nearly one in six are organized under the campus research office.

These data may not represent the entire community, but are at least one source on this question.

Q&A about CaRCC’s new membership management tool

In the coming weeks, CaRCC will begin using a new software tool called Wild Apricot to help manage our rapidly growing membership lists, and help us communicate with you more effectively.  Wild Apricot will allow members to have greater personal control over the information they present to and receive from the CaRCC community.

Wild Apricot will not be replacing Google Drive,  Google Groups, or Slack. Although CaRCC membership lists, mailing lists, and event registrations will become centrally initiated and managed using Wild Apricot, the new system will generate and populate a Google Group –  and CaRCC will continue to use Google for document sharing, storage, and email lists as we always have.  

The following Q&A will help answer your questions about what the change means for you.

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People Network and Other Community Calls in September

Greetings to all members of the CaRCC People Network! 

Mark your calendars for these upcoming People Network calls . For handy calendar entries, check out the CaRCC Events Calendar.

If you’re not on our mailing lists, please fill out our Join the People Network form and join our Slack channels.

Data-Facing Track (1st Tuesdays)

Continuing Discussion on Artificial Intelligence
Tue. September 5, 1p ET/ 12a CT/ 11a MT/ 10a PT

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Read the report: 2023 CaRCC Annual Strategy and Planning Retreat

A report is now available that details outcomes from the second annual CaRCC strategy and planning retreat, held June 13-15 in Chicago (Rosemont), IL and online via Zoom. The retreat included members of the CaRCC steering committee, operational groups, People Network chairs, track coordinators and steering committees, and leaders of CaRCC working and interest groups. Thirty-two people attended in person, with another ten attending virtually.

With CaRCC Mission and Values statements informing the discussion, goals of the Annual Retreat included:

  • Revisit what CaRCC is as an organization in light of recent growth, connecting the CaRCC Mission and Values to its activities
  • Recognize current areas of strength and recommend areas for growth or continuity
  • Identify opportunities for new strategic activities or growth
  • Pinpoint activities or areas that need to improve, change, or cease
  • Use each of the above to inform development of a set of recommendations andstrategic action items for the coming year

CaRCC Volunteer Opportunities

CaRCC is seeking volunteers for several new efforts that will have a significant impact on CaRCC and the RCD Community. This is a chance to make a real difference to the future of CaRCC. We need your help! 

Sign up for any of the following opportunities by completing this Volunteer Interest Form. 

  • RCD Awards Program Development
  • Budget Development and Financial Planning
  • Membership and Sponsorship Models Exploratory Group
  • Member Survey
  • Reducing Potential Redundancy and Overlap Across CaRCC

Read more to find detailed descriptions of each volunteer opportunity. 

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Welcome to August! Check out People Network and Other Community Calls

Greetings to all members of the CaRCC People Network! 

Mark your calendars for these upcoming People Network calls. For handy calendar entries, check out the CaRCC Events Calendar.

If you’re not on our mailing lists, you can fill out our Join the People Network form and join our Slack channels.

Data-Facing Track (1st Tuesdays)

Artificial Intelligence: The Beginning and the End of Human Wisdom
Shuyuan Mary Ho Metcalf, Florida State University
Tue. August 1, 1p ET/ 12a CT/ 11a MT/ 10a PT

Continue reading “Welcome to August! Check out People Network and Other Community Calls”

CaRCC activities at PEARC23

It’s almost time for the PEARC23 conference and we’re looking forward to seeing many of you in Portland! Be sure to stop by the Internet2 table during open Exhibit hours, Monday, July 24 and Tuesday, July 25 8am-5pm to pick up a CaRCC sticker and other info. A big thank you to our partner, Internet2 for providing space for CaRCC at their table!

Remember that you, our engaged CaRCC members, are the most powerful communication and outreach tool we have as we strive to be diverse and inclusive. If you meet members of the community at PEARC who aren’t familiar with CaRCC, encourage them to learn more at the CaRCC Town Hall, stop by the table in the Exhibit Hall, or visit CaRCC.org to join the People Network.

CaRCC events at PEARC23 include:

Sunday, July 23

RCD Nexus Day — A full day of collaboration and connection for the RCD Community. This year’s topics include Using the Capabilities Model Assessment Tool and Onboarding RCD Staff and Students. (Pre-registration required.)

RCD Nexus is supported as an NSF-funded Cyberinfrastructure Centers of Excellence (CoE) pilot (award NSF-2100003).

Tuesday, July 24

CaRCC Town Hall, 10:30am-12pm, Room F151 — Come hear about current initiative and help shape future directions! Learn how to get involved and how we are connecting with the broader RCD ecosystem through the People Network.

Workforce Track: Understanding the Research Computing and Data Profession, 3:00-4:30pm, Room D135 — Talks include “Career Phases in Research Computing and Data” and Professionalization of Research Computing and Data: An Expanded Agenda” both by Tim Middelkoop. And Christina Maimone will present on “Compensation of Academic Research Computing and Data Professionals”.

Revised CaRCC Overview

Overview of CaRCC Organization and Groups

The CaRCC Chairs leadership is pleased to announce that we have a revised “CaRCC One Slide” – It’s that first slide you often see at the beginning of any of the People Network track calls or other activity meet-ups and in which we capture the current CaRCC activity groups.

We’d like to give a huge thanks to Engagement Operations Group member Cyd Burrows-Schilling (University of CA San Diego) for her work on creating a captivating depiction of CaRCC as we know it today. You’ll see that there are some historical references to the growth of CaRCC activity groups, but the impact is the sheer number of active People Network tracks and Interest & Working groups. Thank you, Cyd!

Much appreciation goes to Bob Freeman (Harvard Business School), Patrick Schmitz (Semper Cogito Consulting), and again Cyd Burrows-Schilling for the original timeline slide’s development and upkeep. Look how far we’ve come!

And, finally, thanks to you, the RCD professional community, the individuals embodied by this graphic: Whether attending track calls or engaged in other activities, CaRCC is nothing without each of you!