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 research projects that require enhanced computing power. These machines provide equitable open access to resources, including powerful hardware, specialized software, and expertise for all researchers at UBC. Anyone with a CWL log-in is able to use the workstations in the Digital Scholarship Lab and access popular paid software for free.
These machines are best used for:
- Researchers, 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:
- You agree to comply with the UBC Information Systems Appropriate Use Policy.
- You are responsible for saving and backing up your work on a personal space or device (such as on your UBC OneDrive account or a USB stick)
- You are responsible for logging off your machine.
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
- Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
- ArcGIS
- R
- NVivo
- SPSS
- and many more! View full list of installed software for Koerner Room 497 (The Digital Scholarship Lab)
Three ways to access these machines
On-site – Digital Scholarship Lab
- Machines wiped at logoff.
- 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 logoff.
- 6 remote computers
- Available 24-hours / day
- Login using your CWL.
48 hour – remote use
- Machine wiped at the end of your reservation or logoff (whichever comes first).
- 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.