Access to information is becoming faster and more dynamic, and interaction models are changing. Researchers need new tools to process and filter the information, to organize and share resources, and to connect and collaborate online. That is where 2collab comes in, providing a free collaboration, bookmarking, networking and discussion tool that caters specifically to the scientific community.

Launched in November 2007, 2collab is still very young. Just four months later, however, it is already making its mark on the world of scientific research, especially among so-called ‘early adopters’ – those who are curious and willing to try new technologies. Brant Emery, Development Manager, explains the major functions of 2collab: “first and foremost, it allows scientific researchers to collaborate, share their findings and create discussion groups to further their ideas. It also acts as a reference management tool, allowing users to bookmark URLs in one central location, which they can then access from any computer and easily share with colleagues or other users. 2collab uses these bookmarks and tags to allow users to network; the user profile is a key factor in enabling users to network with other specialists in their field or to meet scientists in other fields. We’re encouraging people to fill in as much profile information as possible to make it easier for them to network effectively with peers. Discussion groups fall into one of three security categories, ranging from closed groups that are controlled by a single administrator and whose content is available only to members, to open public groups in which anyone can participate.”

Web 2.0: the user revolution
In very recent years, there has been a shift in thinking: from the Internet as a platform for offering traditional products, to services centred around users. This user revolution, known as ‘Web 2.0’, has changed the ways in which people interact and participate in creating content. Internet user expectations have changed as well, shifting towards social applications to support these new models.

Camelia Csora, Product Manager explains how 2collab fits in: “unlike other social tools, 2collab is a scholarly tool, tailor-made for researchers, to help them connect and collaborate with peers and specialists in their research areas. 2collab allows users to contribute relevant, scholarly content and to enrich it with their own knowledge. With tagging, rating and commenting, users can share their opinions on a specific scientific resource, connect with others or find valuable resources already shared by people within their field.”

As well as providing a central portal for valuable scientific knowledge, 2collab enables scientists to build and consolidate their trusted scientific communities online. Research groups can collaborate on writing their next paper; librarians can recommend preferred scientific information sources; teachers and students can share reading lists; authors can promote their papers within a specific subject-focused community, discuss ideas, connect with people and seek answers from peers.

The future of collaboration
Feedback from 2collab users has been positive; like all new technologies and developments, it is a continuous quest to understand the users’ needs and how these tools can fit into their day-to-day work. Csora says: “our aim is to continue developing this tool in close partnership with our users by involving them regularly in generating ideas, sharing feedback, reviewing new features and testing new functionalities.”

She continues: “Developments over the next six months will focus on building new collaboration features for the scientific community. Feedback from users has shown that they would like to start up and facilitate discussions within groups based on certain topics, rather than discussions stemming from a particular URL. Deeper integration with other platforms and information providers, and ‘question and answer’ functionality, which will allow specialists from trusted sources to post answers to users’ questions, are just a couple of items we will be focusing on.”

Benefits for authors and editors
While 2collab is a great tool for networking and gaining access to the work of others, it also provides authors with a platform to disseminate their own work. “Making your papers available via 2collab is a good way to disseminate your research and to gain more citations, which means broader recognition for your work” says Csora. “It also helps feed the research process, by helping other researchers to find relevant papers more quickly and easily – directly through recommendations from their peers.

Members of an editorial board are often geographically distant from one another; 2collab provides the platform and tools needed to overcome the limitations of time and space, so that people can connect and interact in one ‘place’. “Similarly,” continues Emery, “while a medical journal could publish several articles on a particular topic, in 2collab users can share and access video, photos, websites and online media about that topic, just as easily and in the same place as printed articles and conventional media. 2collab is a great supplement to traditional journal content; it will never replace journals but it enhances their value by bringing people and ideas together.”

From a networking perspective, 2collab can help editors create subject-specific groups, invite people in their trusted scientific environment to discussions on that topic, encourage other non-members to join or recommend the group to other specialists in the field. “In this way,” explains Csora, “editors can connect to potential reviewers who are currently and actively interested and involved in that specific subject field.” Emery concludes: “2collab offers authors, editors and researchers the ability to access and disseminate scientific content, to connect with their peers, enhancing the way they work together and offering an open and accessible space that fosters collaboration.”

To cite this article, please use: Vicky Hampton, "New networking opportunities for scientists", Elsevier Editors' Update, Issue 22, May 2008

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