This workshop explores the important role of humans, in support roles, in making cloud computing useful in research settings. Cloud computing is clearly a type of cyberinfrastructure, which workshop organizer Craig Stewart defines as comprising “computing systems, data storage systems, advanced instruments and data repositories, visualization environments, and people, all linked together by software and high performance networks to improve research productivity and enable breakthroughs not otherwise possible" (2017). This workshop will focus on the "and people" part of cyberinfrastructure, and in particular on the role of people in supporting the use of commercial cloud resources in research.
The overall goal of this workshop is to share information about best practices, successes, and challenges in supporting research use of commercial clouds. To accomplish this, we will:
- Provide detailed, concrete examples of the effective use of cloud computing, comparing and contrasting use of cloud resources with traditional campus and national infrastructure alternatives.
- Provide a forum for a free exchange of ideas, challenges, and best-practices in supporting the use of commercial cloud computing in advancing research across many disciplines.
- Foster networking among attendees, broadening the impact of efforts to put greater emphasis on the human component of cyberinfrastructure, including Campus Champions, CaRCC (the Campus Research Computing Consortium), and a new effort led by IU called Humanware; working to build a larger and more effective community of experts.
Workshop Format
The format of presentations for the day will be:
- Introductory talk by Craig Stewart and Brian Voss
- A mixture of talks by accepted participants and CSREs
- An ending panel to discuss lessons learned and share information