View from within the Open Lab, looking towards the Meet-Ups along the curved, main corridor of The Edge
Published December 30, 2014 under Research News
When students and faculty arrive back on campus in 2015, they’ll have a new space to conduct collaborative research, explore new technologies, and tap into the expertise of research and technology specialists: the Ruppert Commons for Research, Technology, and Collaboration, also known as “The Edge.”
Opening Monday, January 5, The Edge reflects a complete transformation of the first floor of Bostock Library into a flexible new academic service hub designed to support faculty and students in their interdisciplinary, data-driven, digitally reliant or team-based research.
A Perfect Fit for DGHI Research
Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI) faculty are excited about The Edge because the spaces and resources it offers align so well with our mission of bringing together interdisciplinary teams to solve complex health problems and to train the next generation of global health leaders.
In fact, two DGHI faculty members, Charmaine Royal and Kearsley (“Karrie”) Stewart, have already arranged to hold project meetings at The Edge for their Bass Connections project, “Integrative Global Research on Sickle Cell Disease.” The goal of this project is to engage an international team of faculty and students from a variety of levels and disciplines in collaborative education and research to develop an ecological framework for understanding and addressing sickle cell disease.
“I think the DGHI community will find The Edge to be an attractive place to collaborate on projects,” said Hannah Rozear, librarian for global health. “The themes that guided the development of the space—interdisciplinary, data-driven, digitally reliant and team-based research—are integral to global health work.”
Rooms and Resources to Meet a Variety of Research Needs
The Edge houses a wide range of spaces, including:
- An open lab with mobile furniture to facilitate informal team gatherings
- Nine project rooms equipped with flat panel displays and laptop connections
- A digital studio that serves as a “sandbox” for experimenting with different software programs
- A data and visualization lab with state-of-the-art technologies for data-driven research projects
- A workshop room for training, presentations, and other events
- A lounge for informal collaboration and social events
Learn more about The Edge’s rooms and resources.
Two Opportunities to Get Acquainted with The Edge
Tours will be available on an ongoing basis, but The Edge staff are hosting two special events in January:
- Thursday, January 8, 2-2:30pm – Faculty tour (register)
- Wednesday, January 14, 1-4pm – Open House – Help celebrate the completion of The Edge. Deborah Jakubs, Rita DiGiallonardo Holloway University Librarian and Vice Provost for Library Affairs, will speak at 1:30. (learn more)
The Edge's spaces and resources align so well with DGHI's mission of bringing together interdisciplinary teams to solve complex health problems and to train the next generation of global health leaders.
