Welcome to the Fall 2025 issue of UC Berkeley’s Research IT Newsletter!
This special edition celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Research Data Management (RDM) Program — a decade of collaboration and innovation in supporting Berkeley’s research community.
The RDM Program was established in 2015 following a joint Library, Research IT, and Berkeley IT initiative to benchmark campus research data needs. Since then, it has provided discipline-agnostic support for the secure management of research data throughout its lifecycle. The Library focuses on data planning and sharing, while Research IT supports active data workflows and infrastructure, together offering a holistic approach to data management.
Over the past decade, this model has inspired similar collaborations across higher education, recognizing that supporting research is a shared responsibility strengthened by partnership and adaptability.
Learn more about the RDM program
In celebration of its 10 year anniversary, the RDM program has published a series of blog posts that focuses on support offered as well as services and/or technologies provided by Research IT and the Library to enable research at UC Berkeley.
Building Better Research Together: Inside Research IT Collaboration Toolkit
At a university as large and interdisciplinary as UC Berkeley, research collaboration offers incredible opportunities—but also notable challenges. From incompatible file storage systems to differing work practices, research teams can struggle to align efforts across departments or disciplines. That’s where the Research IT Collaboration Toolkit comes in.
Transforming Research Data Practices: Machine-Actionable Data Management Plans
As research becomes increasingly data-driven, managing data efficiently and transparently is more critical than ever. Here at UC Berkeley, a new campus pilot project is testing machine-actionable data management plans—a next-generation approach that enables greater automation, integration, and tracking throughout the research lifecycle. Read more
Exploring REDCap: Enabling Secure Data Capture
REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) is a secure web application designed to support online and offline data capture for research studies. This tool allows researchers to collect and manage structured research data through surveys and forms.
Navigating Research Data SecurityOctober 14, 11am-12pm, Zoom
Registration required
Your research matters — and we’re here to help you keep it safe and secure. Join the Information Security Office and Research IT for a session on how to protect your computer in alignment with UC Berkeley’s Minimum Security Standards for Networked Devices. We’ll share tools and resources tailored to researchers’ needs, and you’ll hear from Scarlet Sands-Bliss from the School of Public Health as she discusses navigating campus security requirements, practical compliance tips, and how Research IT supports her work. Learn, connect, and demystify cybersecurity with us.
Big Data for BeginnersNovember 12, 3:40-5pm, Hybrid - Academic Innovation Studio & Zoom
Registration required
High-performance and remote computing may sound intimidating, but new tools make them easier than ever to use—right from your web browser. Open OnDemand (OOD), the web platform for Savio, UC Berkeley’s supercomputer, lets users manage files, run commands, monitor computations, and launch interactive sessions using familiar tools like Jupyter and RStudio. This training will introduce participants to high-performance computing, Savio, and OOD, as well as Globus, the best tool for large data transfers. We’ll also explore how to work with big data and harness the full power of high-performance computing on Savio.
Past TrainingsView recordings of our past data management and computation trainings on the Research IT Youtube channel
Now Hiring: Graduate Student Domain Consultants
Research IT is hiring multiple Graduate Student Domain Consultants for flexible 10–25% appointments (4–10 hours per week). We’re looking for curious, motivated candidates from all disciplines who are passionate about supporting campus researchers and helping them access the computing, data, and storage solutions that best meet their needs.Learn more
24/7 Support: Research IT Chatbot
We’re excited to introduce a new AI-powered chatbot designed to help researchers navigate the Savio supercomputer with ease. Available 24/7 on the Research IT documentation website, this tool enhances usability and accessibility across UC Berkeley’s research community. Simply click the chat icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen to get started.
Virtual Office Hours
Research IT has a diverse team of expert consultants from across disciplines that can help with your data and computing questions related to your research. Join us during our virtual office hours at the times listed below or reach out to us anytime via email at research-it-consulting@berkeley.edu.
— Wednesdays, 1:30-3pm
— Thursdays, 9:30-11am
Learn More
Research IT