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Elsevier is joining with University College London (UCL) to set up the UCL Big Data Institute. The project is designed to explore ways to meet researchers’ needs through new technologies and analytics for scholarly data.
Elsevier will fund research and studentships through the Institute, offering new opportunities to research the analysis, use and storage of big data. "Elsevier believes linking analytics and scientific content is one of the key enablers to better service scientists," the company said.
The new Institute is said to complement Elsevier's recent acquisition of Mendeley, which operates a research management and collaboration platform in east London, plus Elsevier's recent investment into building a London-based web analytics group. Elsevier will set up a centre of excellence within the web analytics group co-staffed with UCL researchers.
Meanwhile UCL will have access to Elsevier's research data and technology, and will expand its research activities and initiatives within big data and research analytics through the sharing of insights and resources.
Ron Mobed, Elsevier chief executive officer, said: "This is a significant investment by Elsevier in UK science… Our aim is to help scientists do better research and do it faster."
David Willetts, minister of state for Universities and Science [pictured], said that the collaboration between Elsevier and UCL was “vital if we are to take full advantage of the big data revolution and stay ahead in the global race big data”.
According to Willetts, big data “has the potential to play a crucial role supporting the growth of the UK economy. It's estimated that the big data market will create up to 58,000 new UK jobs by 2017”.