Thematic Portal (Catalysis Data Infrastructure Example)

The database model for the CDI underpins the knowledge graph of a research community, linking research products (publications, data) and entities (researchers, institutions). It enables data discovery, showcases collaborations, and provides insights into research output. While centred on Published Works, Researchers, Institutions, Research Themes, and Data Objects, it can be extended to support domain-specific data (e.g., chemical entities, materials, analysis methods) tailored to the needs of different communities.

The data of the community portal is accessible programmatically through custom web services (API calls). Each entity can respond to call with JSON data which can be used to create custom views or feed third party applications. For example, the UK catalysis hub uses a web service that delivers filtered bibliographic lists of publications, is used to populate the publications pages on its website and to generate custom reports. We can assist in developing tailored services to meet specific community requirements.

The deployed Thematic Portal for the UK Catalysis Hub (CDI) offers summary reports on publications and research impact within this important scientific domain. It provides insights into publications, authors, institutions, top researchers, countries, and themes, while tracking changes over time to identify research trends. This use case illustrates how thematic portals can showcase research productivity, emphasize emerging trends, and simplify access to supporting data.

The code for the thematic portal is open source, enabling communities to customize it to meet their specific needs. Its flexibility allows for rapid deployment and personalization, including logos, custom headings, and tailored functionality. The open-source licensing ensures communities can download, modify, and adapt the code further. We offer support for deployment on institutional servers or commercial platforms.