Brock’s Digital Collaboratory is welcoming researchers to learn, mingle and combine their efforts through several new services, workshops and events this fall. 

Weekly digital scholarship drop-in hours provide an opportunity for researchers to learn about and get advice on how to use tools for data management, citation management, data visualization and high-performance computing.  

Digital Scholarship Librarian Tim Ribaric will be available in the Digital Collaboratory Mondays at 11 a.m. to provide insights and advice on citation and data management tools; Daniel Brett, Digital Scholarship Lab Technical Support, will be available on Thursdays at 1 p.m. to discuss and teach about data visualization; and Advanced Research Computing Consultants Tyler Collins and James Desjardins will be available to help researchers use and navigate the National Computing Platform on Thursdays at 2 p.m. No registration is required, and researchers are encouraged to drop in and learn from the experts. 

Researchers seeking one-on-one support can book a consultation with digital research experts on issues pertaining to advanced research computing and digital knowledge mobilization. Appointments can be made as needed through the Brock LINC website. 

For research groups grappling with a particular question or seeking new angles to approach a project, the Digital Collaboratory can help by setting up an open lab meeting that brings together experts from across various disciplines who can provide fresh perspectives on addressing a research problem.

In addition to newly available services, upcoming workshops are designed to help researchers hone their skills in several digital research areas. The fall schedule includes a High Performance Computing workshop on the programming language Cython; a Knowledge Management and Communication workshop series dedicated to teaching researchers how to use digital tools to disseminate their research; a three-day workshop on Podcasting Your Research, hosted in collaboration with the Makerspace and Faculty of Humanities; and a workshop focusing on Canva for Research Communication, where researchers can learn how to create eye-catching digital research assets. 

There will also be several events this term to help bring researchers together.

The Digital and Interactive Media Researcher Social is an opportunity for junior and senior scholars to meet and make connections with like-minded individuals from across campus. Hosted by the Centre for Digital Humanities (CDH), the event will be held Thursday, Oct. 27. Participants can register through ExperienceBU. 

The CDH is also inviting Brock students to participate in their Spooky Shapes Game Jam on Friday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Oct. 29. The event will focus on creating games with Unity and is intended to be friendly to novices and experienced developers alike. There will be ample opportunity for mentorship and support, in addition to candy. Everything needed to participate will be provided.

As the term wraps up, students in the Master of Arts in Game Studies program will showcase games created for GAME 5P02: Games for Education, Health and Persuasion. The Student Game Showcase will happen on Friday, Dec. 2, when attendees will be able to test student-developed games created to assist with learning, training or communicating a message. 

With so many offerings available, Brock LINC Executive Director Farzana Crocco says there’s something for everyone.

“Through these newly available services and events, Brock LINC is committed to helping researchers explore digital tools and technology that supports the research process, from planning to executing to disseminating their work,” she says.

For more information or to collaborate on Digital Collaboratory services, workshops and events, please contact Kait Kribs, Digital Research Communications Officer for the Brock LINC at kkribs@brocku.ca