Digital Scholarship workstations

The UBC Library Research Commons has 18 enhanced PC workstations (11 on-site, 6 short-term, remote-access, 1 long-term, remote access) to support data, GIS and other digital scholarship and research project needs that require enhanced computing power. These machines provide equitable access to resources, including powerful hardware, specialized software, and expertise for all researchers who require access.

These machines are prioritized for:

  • Researchers, graduate students, or postdocs working on digital scholarship projects that require tools that are unavailable to them elsewhere.
  • Researchers exploring unconventional or speculative tools in a supportive environment with access to local expertise. 
  • Digital scholars demonstrating their scholarship and methods through a multidisciplinary platform connected to the community.
  • Work that relies on the software or computing power provided.

When using these machines:

Workstation specifications

  • Dell Precision 3630 Tower
  • Intel Core i7-8700, 6 Core, 12MB Cache, 3.2Ghz, 4.6 GHz Turbo
  • 32GB DDR4 Memory
  • 512GB SATA SSD
  • NVIDIA Quadro P2000, 5GB Graphics Card

  Workstation software

Three ways to access these machines

On-site – Digital Scholarship Lab

  • Machines wiped nightly.
  • Room 497 , Koerner Library [map]
  • Same hours as Koerner Library
  • 11 on-site computers
  • Priority given to those meeting the criteria stated above, plus individuals who need to use sections of the lab for small group instruction around a tool offered in the lab or methodology supported by it.
  • The Lab is a no food zone. Drinks that are in spill-proof containers are okay as per the library food and drink policy. Please clean up after yourself.
  • The Digital Scholarship Lab is a conversation space. Talking at a reasonable volume is allowed. Please be respectful of those working around you. If you need to make a phone call consider using the sound dampening phone booth (room 557 upstairs).
  • The nearest silent study space to the lab is on Koerner floor 1. More information about silent study here.

Short-term – remote use

  • Machines wiped at midnight (12 AM PST) daily.
  • 6 remote computers
  • Available 24-hours / day
  • Login using your CWL.

48 hour – remote use

  • Machine wiped at the end of your reservation.
  • 1 remote computer
  • Available 24-hours / day
  • Must reserve with CWL through booking system
  • Reservations are for 48 hours. Longer bookings may be possible. Please contact research.commons@ubc.ca to inquire.