🔧 4 Activities spaced every 10 minutes.
The Digital Skills programme equips researchers with the competencies required for modern, data-driven scholarship.
The programme is not about tools….
It is also about connecting researchers with the people who work with data, including data stewards, software engineers, and information specialists.
This programme aims to bridge the gap between disciplinary experts and technical specialists.
flowchart TB
A["Data Collection"] --> B["Analysis"] --> C["Collaboration"] --> D["Publication & Sharing"]
D --> A
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style B fill:#E8F5E9,stroke:#2E7D32,stroke-width:1px
style C fill:#FFF3E0,stroke:#EF6C00,stroke-width:1px
style D fill:#F3E5F5,stroke:#6A1B9A,stroke-width:1px
💬 Collaboration at every stage of the research process improves the quality of outputs and supports a more open, reproducible culture.
The programme offers three tiers of learning, from foundational to applied and specialist skills.
| Level | Focus | Example Modules |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Core digital research competencies | Essential Digital Skills |
| Intermediate | Theory and collaboration in data science | Python, R, Software Engineering |
| Advanced | Applied analysis and discipline-specific practice | Bioinformatics, HPC, ML/AI |
🧩 Each tier builds practical capability and supports research independence.
| Course | Description | Duration | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential Digital Skills – Foundation | Introduces the tools, practices, and principles needed to participate confidently in digital research. | 4× half days | |
| Methods for Data Science – Theoretical | Introduces coding, software, and collaboration practices needed for sustainable research. | 4× half days | |
| Methods for Data Science – Applied Python | Provides practical experience in data analysis and interpretation using Python. | 2 days | Introductory and intermediate |
| Methods for Data Science – Applied R | Provides practical experience in data analysis and interpretation using R. | 2 days | Introductory and intermediate |
| Advanced | — | 1 day? | AI? ML? Bioinformatics? |
Let’s start by reflecting on your current skills.
❓ Which digital skills (or tools) do you want to learn more about this year?
Digital research depends on connected systems that enable collaboration, safeguard data, and streamline research workflows.
flowchart TB
A["Researchers"]:::a --> B["Institutional Systems"]:::b --> C["Collaborative Outputs"]:::c
C --> A
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classDef c fill:#FFF3E0,stroke:#EF6C00,stroke-width:1px
🧩 Institutional systems form the backbone of a connected research ecosystem.
At the University of Nottingham, research operates within a digitally integrated environment that connects people, data, and administration.
| System | Primary Role |
|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 | Collaboration and communication |
| SharePoint | Long-term data and document sharing |
| UniCore | Finance, HR, and procurement |
| RIS (Worktribe) | Research lifecycle, funding, outputs |
🏛️ Together these platforms enable secure, collaborative, and transparent research practice.
Microsoft 365 supports daily research activity—from communication to data management—within a single, integrated workspace.
| Tool | Function |
|---|---|
| Word & Excel | Writing, data capture, and co-editing |
| OneDrive | Personal cloud storage with versioning |
| Teams | Communication, meetings, shared workspaces |
| SharePoint | Institutional document repositories |
💬 Microsoft 365 is the shared workspace for modern research collaboration.
🧠 Good file management is the foundation of digital reproducibility.
UniCore and RIS link the operational and administrative sides of research.
| System | Purpose |
|---|---|
| UniCore | Finance, HR, procurement, and resource management |
| RIS (Worktribe) | Project proposals, outputs, and compliance tracking |
🗂️ These systems ensure research activity is visible, auditable, and supported.
UniCore is UoN’s enterprise system for managing finance, HR, and procurement.
flowchart TB
P["Purchasing"]:::a --> E["Expenses"]:::b --> H["HR & Leave Management"]:::c --> R["Research Operations"]:::d
R --> P
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classDef d fill:#F3E5F5,stroke:#6A1B9A,stroke-width:1px
🧭 UniCore underpins the financial and operational side of research at the university.
RIS (Worktribe) records, tracks, and reports the full research lifecycle.
| Feature | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Grant Management | Develop and cost funding proposals |
| Outputs Tracking | Record publications and datasets |
| Impact Recording | Capture engagement and REF evidence |
| ORCID Integration | Synchronise researcher identity and outputs |
📚 RIS ensures research activity is captured and connected institutionally.
| Research Task | Recommended System | Collaboration Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Co-author a paper | OneDrive / Word | Real-time editing and version control |
| Submit a funding bid | RIS | Shared proposal development and audit trail |
| Claim expenses | UniCore | Secure and traceable reimbursement |
| Share datasets | SharePoint / Teams | Controlled access and persistence |
| Record outputs | RIS + ORCID | Automatic institutional linking |
⚙️ Each platform serves a distinct role in the research ecosystem.
By using institutional systems effectively teams build trust and accountability, data remains secure, reusable, and open and researchers can spend more time working on innovation and discovery
flowchart TB
A["Transparency"]:::a --> B["Trust"]:::b --> C["Collaboration"]:::c --> D["Impact"]:::d
D --> A
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classDef d fill:#F3E5F5,stroke:#6A1B9A,stroke-width:1px
🌍 Digital infrastructure is the connective tissue of modern research.
List the digital tools you would use for each of the following:
Your research identity defines how your work is discovered, attributed, and connected across the digital research ecosystem.
flowchart TB
P["Publications"]:::a --> O["ORCID iD"]:::b --> R["Repositories & Funders"]:::c --> I["Institutional Systems (RIS, HR)"]:::d
I --> P
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classDef c fill:#FFF3E0,stroke:#EF6C00,stroke-width:1px
classDef d fill:#F3E5F5,stroke:#6A1B9A,stroke-width:1px
🧩 A coherent digital identity ensures your contributions are visible, citable, and connected.
A consistent identity links your outputs, affiliations, and roles automatically across systems. This approach:
💡 A consistent research identity builds long-term recognition and credibility.
ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) is the global standard for uniquely identifying researchers across institutions and disciplines.
flowchart LR
A["Researcher"]:::a --> B["ORCID iD"]:::b --> C["Funders"]:::c
B --> D["Publishers"]:::d
B --> E["Repositories"]:::e
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classDef e fill:#E1F5FE,stroke:#0277BD,stroke-width:1px
🧠 Your ORCID iD is your digital fingerprint across the global research ecosystem.
At UoN, RIS (Worktribe) complements your ORCID profile by linking research activity to institutional records.
| Feature | Function |
|---|---|
| Grant Management | Tracks proposals, approvals, and costings |
| Outputs Dashboard | Records publications, datasets, and impacts |
| Compliance | Supports REF and Open Access requirements |
| Integration | Syncs with ORCID and external repositories |
🏛️ RIS ensures your institutional identity mirrors your global research presence.
It is recomended that you:
🧭 Managing your identity actively ensures your research remains visible and verifiable.
❓ Do you have a ORCID research identity?
Visit Orcid, Log in / sign up
❓ Is your ORCID ID populated with your name, affiliation etc? If not make sure that is complete. - Set your ORCID ID to public (if appropriate)
Effective digital research requires vigilance, responsibility, and sound data stewardship to protect not only research, but also collaborators and institutions.
flowchart TB
A["Trust & Compliance"]:::a --> B["Data Integrity"]:::b --> C["Confidentiality"]:::c --> D["Continuity"]:::d --> E["Collaboration Resilience"]:::e --> A
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classDef e fill:#E1F5FE,stroke:#0277BD,stroke-width:1px
🔒 Digital security is a collective responsibility: protecting data protects discovery.
Passwords remain the first line of defence against unauthorised access.
Weak or reused passwords are still the most common research vulnerability.
🧠 Strong passwords are simple, low-cost defences against complex risks.
MFA adds a crucial verification step beyond a password.
Even if your password is compromised, MFA prevents most unauthorised logins.
flowchart LR
U["User Login"]:::a --> P["Password"]:::b --> V["Second Factor (App / SMS / Key)"]:::c --> A["Access Granted"]:::d
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classDef d fill:#F3E5F5,stroke:#6A1B9A,stroke-width:1px
🔐 Think of MFA as the seatbelt of your digital life—simple, unobtrusive, and essential.
Devices are gateways to institutional data.
Protecting them is vital for maintaining research integrity and trust.
| Action | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Store files on OneDrive or SharePoint | Secure cloud storage with version control |
| Avoid local or personal cloud drives | Prevent data loss and compliance breaches |
| Enable screen locks and encryption | Protect devices if lost or stolen |
| Use separate user profiles on shared machines | Maintain privacy and accountability |
⚙️ Encryption safeguards your work even when devices are compromised.
Remote work expands flexibility but increases risk.
Safe access protects your data wherever you work.
🌍 A VPN keeps your connection secure—your data stays private, even on public networks.
Backups prevent irreversible data loss from accidents, failures, or attacks.
Follow the 3-2-1 Rule to ensure resilience.
| Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| 3 Copies | Maintain three versions of your data |
| 2 Media Types | Store on two different media (e.g., cloud and drive) |
| 1 Offsite | Keep one copy offsite or in the cloud |
💾 A backup untested is not a backup—it’s a hypothesis.
Cybersecurity requires daily habits, not one-off actions.
🧩 Cybersecurity is continuous awareness—prevention through habit.
