Getting started with your Research

IT & Computing

These pages provide answers to common IT questions covering login, wifi, email, ID card, printing and more.  If you can't find the answer to your problem at the links below email is.helpline@ed.ac.uk

Useful info for new staff

IT and Computing Help

PURE - your research profile

Pure is the University's Current Research Information System (CRIS). Information held in Pure relates to research staff and their publications, projects and activities. Pure allows you to create relationships and associations between research inputs and outputs, providing a broad picture of research activity at the individual, research unit, School, College, and University levels.

In addition to providing many of the University's current research management and reporting needs, data from Pure is also used to populate the Edinburgh Research Explorer, which provides a public view on the University's research activity and a personal profile for each staff member. Units are also able to access data held in Pure to feed information into their own local web presence, such as publication lists and staff profiles.

Login in to Pure [Your University Login required]

Creating and adding information to your Pure profile

Edinburgh Research Explorer

Digital Research Services

The Digital Research Services team provide a single point of access to all data and computing services.  The team can support you with digital tools, training and advice in every step of the research lifecycle, including

• Collecting and storing data for research
• Tools best suited for analysis/visualisation/simulation and how to estimate costs for funders
• How to publish and preserve data
• Training available

Digital Research Services

Digital Research Services brochure

Research Data Service

The Research Data Service (part of Digital Research Services) provide a suite of tools and support that helps staff and students be effective with their research data before, during and after their project. Including

• Data Management Planning
• Managing data during a project
• Storing or Sharing data after a project

Research Data Service

Software Services

The Software Services Team manage several deals for software used at the University.  The team administer several site licenses and bulk purchase deals. They facilitate the distribution of software and codes, sometimes recouping costs at a college, school or individual level, within the terms and conditions of the licenses.

Software Services

Training & Skills

The Research Data Service provide training to help you understand data management for research and use the University systems.  You might want to consider these courses as a starting point

• Research Data MANTRA
• Writing a Data Management Plan for your Research
• Working with Personal and Sensitive Data (If relevant to your research)

Research Data Training & Skills

School or Institute Resources

Most of the day to day information and processes you will need in your role will be provided locally in your School or Institute.  Make sure you get to know the people and processes in your School/Institute and ask for help when you need it.  

School/Institute web or intranet sites