Dr Robert Clemens1, Dr Emilia Decker1
1Griffith University, Ecocommons Australia, Nathan, Australia
EcoCommons’ vision is to empower Australian researchers, practitioners, students, and educators to use trusted, world-leading ecological and environmental modelling tools to protect and restore the planet.
Some of these analytical tools require users to be able to code in either R or Python, while others require little digital literacy. EcoCommons has developed a variety of training material to help ensure users can use the platform’s tools. While migrating training material from the legacy platforms of BCCVL and ecocloud, we have also developed four new training modules; R for ecologists, Python for ecologists, Running Species Distribution Models in R, and Using Point-and-click modelling tools. While EcoCommons continues to seek organisational demand for these tools, we highlight how our training material is meant to grow our widely distributed user base. Certified Software Carpentry instructors either increase user capacity to use our tools or teach methods which complement the scientific workflows currently available at EcoCommons.
By migrating, revising, and creating training material EcoCommons is creating a springboard so that students and anyone new to ecological modelling can become work-ready faster. Consultations with lecturers who used our legacy platforms have indicated an excitement is starting to build about using these materials in the classroom on a much faster platform. Here we quantify the use of our growing volume of training material.
Enabled by the NCRIS-funded Australian Research Data Commons, EcoCommons aims to facilitate best practice for modelling across many science domains.
Biography:
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1359-5133
Rob is an ecologist with experience in ornithology and spatial modelling. He earned a PhD at UQ and has worked on shorebird, and raptor research projects. Rob is responsible for overseeing training initiatives and implementing communication and stakeholder engagement strategies for EcoCommons.