What problem does RISP solve?
Elco: “Information about research, support and procedures is difficult to find on the VU website, because the information is so fragmented. Some information is on faculty websites, other information on web pages of the services, such as the library. As a researcher you don't want to spend too much time looking for information. RISP brings together all information and support in a very nice way. At the same time, the 'human touch' is also present: you can easily find the right contact person via RISP, whether at a central service or at your own faculty.”
Ina: “RISP ensures that all questions that researchers may have regarding conducting research and all matters related to this, are answered in one location. This is very useful for research support staff such as the employees of our Research Office and the other research offices at the VU. They can now easily refer to the portal, so they spend less time answering questions and the researchers find support quickly and adequately.”
Who is it intended for?
Elco: “Everyone at the VU can of course use it, but it will mainly be the researchers and research support staff who will benefit greatly from it.”
Ina: “It is also useful for early career researchers such as PhD candidates. The PhD portal is very useful for all practical matters concerning PhD trajectories, but RISP can be used very well for all questions regarding research and research practices. They may also use RISP when they are looking for grants for the period right after their PhD.”
How can you use RISP effectively?
Elco: “You can use RISP in two ways. If you already know exactly what you are looking for, you can enter it in the search bar and you will immediately be taken to your search theme. However, this is often not the case; Most of the time researchers have a question like: 'What do I need to organise before applying for an NWO grant?' or ‘What are my responsibilities when I get the grant?’ You will find a beautifully clear structure on the RISP, based on the phases of a research project. It guides you through everything you need to think about and where you can find the information or contact persons you need.”
Ina: “You can explore the different sections of the portal to understand what information is available. There are specific sections dedicated to different phases of the research process, and under each section topics such as finance, ethics, open science, impact, etc. With the search function you can quickly find specific information. Make sure you use relevant keywords to get the most accurate results. If you can't find what you need, you will find contact details for support staff. They can then answer specific questions or provide further guidance. Furthermore, it is useful to regularly check for updates to the portal, including new features, policy changes, or added resources. This can help you to always be up to date with the latest information.”
