More time for research with new platform for research logistics
From January 2027, researchers at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences and the Faculty of Humanities will use a new platform for research involving human participants. The platform brings together various lab and research processes ánd gives participant recruitment a boost.
Researchers currently use several systems to organise their research, for example to book lab spaces, register participants, manage participant data or award study credits. Antoinette van Laarhoven, project coordinator and researcher: ‘That is why we are developing a platform for research logistics, which we also call POL in our day-to-day work. This is a GDPR-compliant ICT solution that brings together key lab and research processes. For researchers, the new platform will provide a clear overview and more time for the research itself.’
Reaching a more diverse audience
Participant recruitment will also receive a boost. Gert-Jan Lelieveld, project team member and researcher: ‘An important new feature is the public website showcasing our research involving human participants. This will create a single, clearly recognisable place where people who are interested can find ongoing research at Leiden University and sign up to take part. This enables joint participant recruitment and helps researchers reach a broader and more diverse audience. That can contribute to the quality and societal relevance of our research.’
For ongoing research, there will be a transition period until the end of the academic year.
What will change for researchers with POL?
Researchers who currently use systems such as the SSH Room Booking Tool or SONA will switch to the new platform for research logistics. For new studies, this will take effect from January. For ongoing research, there will be a transition period until the end of the academic year, allowing studies to be completed without disruption. Auke Ruhe, project team member and ICT & Research Coordinator: ‘Before POL goes live, researchers will receive practical information, manuals and instructions about the transition through SOLO. Plenty of relevant information will also be available on the staff website and on POL itself.’
After the launch
The first few months will focus on researchers starting to use the platform and gathering experiences in practice. Based on this feedback, the platform will be developed further. Do you have any questions about the platform for research logistics, now or in the future? Please email labsupport-ssh@leidenuniv.nl.
Initiative and collaboration
The platform for research logistics has been made possible by Leiden University’s Workload Reduction Fund. It is an initiative by researchers and SOLO and marks a further step in the collaboration within the Social Sciences and Humanities Labs.
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences and the Faculty of Humanities are working closely together on the project. The institutes involved include Psychology, Child and Education Studies, LUCL and LUCAS.