Report: Evaluation of the JISC’s Virtual Research Environment Programme

This report presents the achievements and lessons learnt from the 15 projects that participated in the VRE1 programme.

Overall, the programme was judged as a success in meeting its original aims and objectives. In doing so the projects engaged (to a greater or lesser extent) their respective research communities in VRE development and implementation; conducted extensive user requirements analyses which provided the basis for the construction of various VRE configurations, including both large scale and lightweight, proof-of-concept demonstrators; identified functionality (in the form of tools and services) which met user requirements; and increased awareness of and stimulated discussion on VREs within the UK research community.

Overall, the VRE1 Programme clearly demonstrated its potential to have a major impact on supporting and changing research practices in the academic community.