Find out about the Worktribe platform, including how to use the system and ways it can help you collaborate with others.
Overview
What it is: The research management team are introducing a modern cloud-based software system called Worktribe to support research staff and academics to collaborate on research processes.
Why it’s better for you: The new streamlined system aims to reduce the administrative burden on staff.
Why it’s better for the University: It will help us improve how we handle research data and allow us to make more data-driven decisions.
When it’s happening: Implementation of the Worktribe platform begins in January 2023, and will roll out across the University until July 2024, with the Ethics Application and Review system launching later in 2024.
How it will launch: There will be guidance with step-by-step instructions once the system has launched.
About Worktribe
Worktribe will provide an integrated solution to manage the research and knowledge exchange pre-award process up to point of award, along with support for negotiation and agreement of research contracts.
The second phase of the project will procure and implement a streamlined ethics application and review process, which will allow collaboration between co-researchers and academic staff.
The RMS project supports our Research with Impact strategy – we aim to deliver a modern, cloud-based Research Management System. The Sussex 2025 Research with Impact strategy strives to ‘ensure systems are in place for delivering robust and speedy compliance with external requirements.’
Expected outcomes
Worktribe will be a key enabler for world-class research by:
- providing a platform for collaboration
- streamlining review and approval workflows
- improving the recording and visibility of management information, and allowing data-driven decision making
- reducing administrative burden on academic and Professional Services staff.
Applications linking to Worktribe
The new system will  integrate with the following systems:
- Unit 4 Agresso – the University’s finance system
- Northgate / Zellis / RLA – the University’s HR system
- Cognos – the University’s reporting software
- Data Warehouse – the repository for data to be exported into Cognos
- Okta Single Sign On – the University’s single sign-on authentication system
- Symplectic Elements CRIS – Software used for staff to record personal bios, list research publications, and professional activities.
What’s included
The Worktribe platform will include:
- a shared platform between academic and Professional Services colleagues for proposal development and management
- a project costing tool
- internal approvals workflows
- capture of internal peer review
- the ability to capture external partner information
- project risk assessment (due diligence, sanctions, export controls, insurance, governance)
- document management and storage capabilities
- in-system management information and reporting
Project delivery
The project will be delivered in two phases. The first phase will see the procurement and implementation of Worktribe (which began in October 2022). The second phase will focus on the procurement and implementation of an Ethics Application and Review system, to replace the functionality currently provided by Sussex Direct.
In December 2022, the University successfully entered into contract with Worktribe, a leading supplier of research platforms for higher education institutions, who will assist in delivering the core RMS.
Implementation of Worktribe began in January 2023, and will roll out across the University from May – July 2024, with the Ethics Application and Review system following later in 2024.
Timeline
Follow our step-by-step to see the stages the project will go through.
Phase one
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Procurement
In December 2022, the University partnered with Worktribe to supply the platform.
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Configuration
The Worktribe platform will be configured to the University's requirements over the course of 2023. We are currently at this stage.
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Launch
It’s anticipated that Worktribe will be fully configured and tested by April 2024.
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Training
Training will commence from April to October 2024, with Worktribe going live to users between May and July 2024.
Phase two
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Procurement
The procurement of the ethics system is due to commence in 2023.
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Configuration
It’s expected that the new ethics system will be configured to the University's requirements by 2024.
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Launch
The new system should be ready for use following configuration in 2024.