eResearch: Faster, Better, and Brighter
Research at Institutional, National and Global
Scales - An Australian Perspective
Prof Paul Bonnington
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research Infrastructure)(Prev: Director of eResearch, MonashUniversity)Acknowledgementof Country
The University of Queensland (UQ) acknowledges theTraditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands
on which we meet.
We pay our respects to their Ancestors and theirdescendants, who continue cultural and spiritualconnections to Country.
We recognise their valuable contributions to Australianand global society.

Image: Digital reproduction of A guidance through time by Casey Coolwell and Kyra Mancktelow
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My Background
Combinatorics, Computational Mathematics and AI•

most recently: AI applications to Medical Imaging, and scientific instrumentation

University of Auckland (15 Years)•

Led the establishment of NZ’s first eResearch Programme (BeSTGRID -> NESI)

Monash University (15 Years)•

Director of eResearch (2008: Established as partnership between ITS, Library, DVC-R)•Involved in National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) since 2008•

Chaired the establishment of the Australian National Data Service which became
part of ARDC•

Board of ACCESS-NRI•

Led Digital Research aspects of Auscope, Microscopy Australia, NationalImaging Facility, Synchrotron/ANSTO

University of Queensland (Globally Top 50 University)•Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research Infrastructure)•

Board of Microscopy Australia, National Imaging Facility, Terrestrial Ecosystem
Research Network, and Advisory Committee for Phenomics Australia•

Board of Queensland Cyber Infrastructure Foundation

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A data-driven research example….

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Mission Statement
MissionResearchaims

Criticalinfrastructure

Transform melanoma early detection using
total body surveillance to enhance individual lesion management
Diagnostic Intelligence
Improve early detection and riskstratification using total body
images integrated with history,
clinical phenotype and genotype.

Health Service Evaluation
Total body imaging will reduce
unnecessary biopsies by better ‘hit’
rate, improving cost for patients andthe healthcare system.

ACRF funded telemedicine network of 15 total body imaging research nodes•World’s largest, most comprehensive skin imaging

Outcomes

Informatics
Integrate total body imaging into atelehealth network and EMR
through implementation of image
standards.

database.
•Reliable solutions for melanoma early detection.
•Facilitate development of artificial intelligence for risk
stratification, prognostic and diagnostic support.

•Research-validated ACRF infrastructure

underpinning a national targeted screening
program•Establishment of a national teledermatology
network for remote care provision
6Building the Research Repository
QUEENSLAND

VICTORIANEW SOUTH WALESADDITIONAL PARTNERS

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Monash eResearch Centre
Monash eResearch Programme* is the University-wide transformational
programme to digitise research. The Centre uplifts the sophistication and success ofMonash researchers by helping them digitise their research to make it Faster, Better,and Different.
Instrument data processing, high performance computing, digital
Fasterresearch pipelines.

BetterFindable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable (FAIR) research data, datamanagement, “Lego blocks” of reusable advanced digital techniques andtechnologies, automation for more secure and reproducible research.

Different

The application and translation of new research techniques and disruptive
technologies such as sensors, AI, drones, data linkage, global-connected
data sources and tools.
●Delivered in partnership with e.g. HelixIN PRACTICE

Monash eResearch Centre
Runs Infrastructure: High Performance Computing, Data Storage, Cloud
ComputingRuns and participates in national projects: Large-scale collaborations todigitise research and help researchers become more productive
Expertise and Training: Expertise in applying digital tools, techniques andinfrastructure to advance research.

A central theme foreResearch - building
microscopes for 21stCentury discovery

DAM A TANAGEMENT

The 21st Century Microscopy Analogy
INSIGHT Visualisation
Lens techniques andadvanced analytics
ANALYSIS High performance
Filters computing and cloud
Workbenches
CAPTURE The
Light Source Instruments
SamplesMonash eResearch Building 21st Century Microscopes“SeamlessOrchestration”with advanced
digitaltechnologies for
realtimeinteraction withall layers

INSIGHTLens

SCREEN: DIGITALVIRTUALLABORATORIESINCL REMOTE
DESKTOPS andVISUALISATIONANALYSISRESEARCH
Filters

CLOUD andHPCCAPTURE
Light Source, SCIENTIFIC
Samples
INSTRUMENTSSENSITIVE,SURVEY andCOMMERCIALDATASENSORS, IOT,
MODELS, andBORN DIGITAL
DATAInterconnected set of Secure Digital Research capabilities
Improved security and privacy throughout the lifecycle of the research data

Data Collection

Data Storage

Secure text analysis
Extract data from
unstructured text
Secure Research
Data Storage
Store petabyte scalesensitive research data

Secure Hosting ofResearch applications
Host applications thathandles sensitive data
ClinicalInstruments
generating sensitive
research data
E.g. Vectra
Scanner

Imaging Research DataManagement
Including Medical Imaging
De-identified Images

Data Analysis

Secure Analysis Enclave
Platforms
Data custodians analyse data& create extracts for sharing
with other researchers

Secure HPC
For large scale image, genomic
and big data for AI and ML

Data Sharing

Secure Data Custodian
Platforms
Share and analyse securedata across organisations
through the governedenvironment

Research is something that
happens between organisations(and it is a “team sport”). It is notcontained within the enterpriseboundaries

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Research Infrastructure is about
People and Partnerships

17Research Infrastructure is about
Co-Design18

Co-Design of Research Infrastructure
Research Infrastructure Governance and Co-design. Research Techniques, Tools and Technologies areincreasingly interlinked and interrelated in their selection, design, deployment, use and operation.
LightResearchTechniques- e.g. Methods,Workflows,Experiments, Theory

Research Tools- e.g. Instruments,
Algorithms, Devices,
SoftwareResearchTechnologies- e.g. Systems, Platforms,Infrastructure

Role ofNCRIS andInstitutional
RI Platforms
Intensive19

Co-Design of DIGITAL Research Infrastructure
Digital Research Infrastructure Governance and Co-design. Research Techniques, Tools andTechnologies are increasingly interlinked and interrelated in their selection, design, deployment, use andoperation.
LightDigital ResearchTechniques- e.g. Methods,
Workflows,Experiments, Theory

Digital ResearchTools- e.g. Digital Instruments,Algorithms, Sensors, Software

Digital ResearchTechnologies- e.g. Systems, Platforms,
Infrastructure

Role ofNCRIS andInstitutional
RI Platforms
Intensive20

Research Infrastructure is about
Collaboration and Connection

21Building 21st Century Microscopes“SeamlessOrchestration”
with advanced
digitaltechnologies forreal-timeinteraction withall layers

INSIGHTLens

SCREEN: DIGITALVIRTUALLABORATORIESINCL REMOTE
DESKTOPS andVISUALISATIONANALYSISRESEARCHFilters

CLOUD andHPCCAPTURE
Light Source, SCIENTIFIC
Samples
INSTRUMENTSSENSITIVE,SURVEY andCOMMERCIALDATASENSORS, IOT,
MODELS, andBORN DIGITALDATA

National Collaborative Research
Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS)
The only Federal Government funding into
collaborative research infrastructure
Provides researchers access to cutting edge
infrastructure facilities, equipment and resources
Enables partnerships between the research sector,industry, and government to bring economic,environmental, health and social benefits for Australia
Key contributor to the attraction of researchtalent and industry partners to Australia
Co-investing enables states to influence and shape
NCRIS capabilities to meet State priorities
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NCRIS across Queensland
QIMR
JCU Cairns

UQ St Lucia

QUTAIMSUQ Long Pocket

DAF

GU

UQ Gatton25Demonstration

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Research in the age of Data Privacy
NCRIS Capabilities are increasing
handling Human Data

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Uplifting Digital Research
Infrastructure for Sensitive Data
Library

Bring data & tools together•

Technology + Process +Security &privacy bydesign

Process &governancePrinciples:•Cybersecurity

EthicsCommittee

Governance interplay•

Risk management based approach•

Research-led governance

Privacy
Impactassessment

Upliftingcapabilities

Security Risk
Assessment
Research
officeArchitectureassessment

Implementation

Data privacy
officeResearch
referencegroup

Final Advice for Organisations

Digital researchtechnology must bedigitally connected tothe rest of the World’s
digital researchdecisions and control spanorganisations

Research is the journeyof the unknown
It must follow thenDigital researchtechnology spansownership andresponsibility

So is the design ofdigital technology usedby research

workflow and data
lifecycles straddles pillarsof the organisation

iterative and perpetual codesign where researchers
contribute and lead