A Study on the Prospects of the Internet for Research and Education (ASPIRE)

TERENA is undertaking a foresight study following on from the successful
SERENATE and EARNEST studies completed in 2003 and 2008. The study
known as: ASPIRE (A Study on the Prospects of the Internet for Research
and Education) started on 1 April 2011 running for 18 months.

ASPIRE is exploring:

  • future Internet developments over the next 5-10 years in the context of the research and education community.
  • stimulating collaboration and knowledge transfer throughout the network provision and use chain: at the pan-European; national and campus levels.
  • collating and defining best practice that can be widely taken-up in Europe.

The first phase of ASPIRE undertook consultation and research on the most likely areas for advance and innovation setting the strategic directions for a small number of studies. During this phase there was consultation between project staff and influential individuals, policy makers, organizations and groups within the industry and sector. On May 23/24 a workshop for members of the European NREN community was held.

The ASPIRE Workshop for TERENA community members took place on 23-24 May 2011, Berlin. You can find a summary of workshop discussions written by John Dyer, ASPIRE Project Manager.

During the second phase of ASPIRE, topics identified in phase one are being studied and analyzed with the final report being scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2012.

ASPIRE study topics


The four topics chosen for study are being explored by small panels of experts. The panels have been asked to deliver their findings by the start of April 2012.

The topics being studied by the panels are:

  • The adoption of cloud services
  • The integration and use of mobile device connectivity
  • Middleware and managing data and knowledge in a data rich world
  • The future roles of NRENs
    •

An explanation of the choices and a list of topics that should be included in each of the studies is provided in the ASPIRE Study Topics document dated 5 October 2011

Keeping in Touch with ASPIRE


The project team will make use of social media; conferences and workshops to consult; inform and collect ideas throughout the project.

For further information on the ASPIRE project contact: John Dyer, ASPIRE Project Manager

Follow and contribute to ASPIRE on TWITTER: @ASPIRE4sight

The ASPIRE study is funded by the European Commission as part of the GN3 project.

Running period: April 2011 - July 2012