Expanding the Reach of Research Computing: A Landscape Study

TL;DR

This study explores the disparities in research computing access across institutions, emphasizing the importance of expanding resources and curriculum to community colleges to foster a broader, inclusive research workforce.

Contribution

It provides a landscape analysis of challenges and opportunities in extending research computing to smaller and community colleges, informing future initiatives and funding strategies.

Findings

Identified technology gaps in community colleges

Highlighted need for curriculum development in computational skills

Outlined next steps for expanding research computing access

Abstract

Research-computing continues to play an ever increasing role in academia. Access to computing resources, however, varies greatly between institutions. Sustaining the growing need for computing skills and access to advanced cyberinfrastructure requires that computing resources be available to students at all levels of scholarship, including community colleges. The National Science Foundation-funded Building Research Innovation in Community Colleges (BRICCs) community set out to understand the challenges faced by administrators, researchers and faculty in building a sustainable research computing continuum that extends to smaller and two-year terminal degree granting institutions. BRICCs purpose is to address the technology gaps, and encourage the development of curriculum needed to grow a computationally proficient research workforce. Toward addressing these goals, we performed a landscape study that culminated with a community workshop. Here, we present our key findings from workshop discussions and identify next steps to be taken by BRICCs, funding agencies, and the broader cyberinfrastructure community.