Virtual research environments: from portals to science gateways

Virtual Research Environments examines making Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) usable by researchers working to solve "grand challenge” problems in many disciplines from social science to particle physics. It is driven by research the authors have carried out to evaluate researchers' requirements in using information services via web portals and in adapting collaborative learning tools to meet their more diverse needs, particularly in a multidisciplinary study.<br><br>This is the motivation for what the authors have helped develop into the UK Virtual Research Environments (VRE)