The University of Massachusetts Amherst is one of the nation's top research extensive public universities. Underpinning the university's world-class research programs is an infrastructure of equipment, facilities and services.
A: Underpinning the campus's world-class research programs is an extensive infrastructure of facilities and services. Previously, information about these resources was scattered across cyberspace. Now, REFS has created a central portal to UMass Amherst research facilities and services campus-wide. As such, REFS addresses one of the recommendations for enhancing interdisciplinary research set forth by the National Academies Committee on Facilitating Interdisciplinary Research in a 2004 Report. REFS also answers repeated requests from industry for a central source of information about campus research facilities and services.
A: REFS was compiled with information gathered from hundreds of individual campus web pages and from personal communications with faculty and staff. REFS was developed by Research Liaison and Development, an office of the Vice Provost for Research. Database programming by Erik Karey (ekarey@student.umass.edu).
A: Choose from one of more than 100 facilities and services by name or search the entire directory. REFS directory entries are categorized and searchable by equipment/resource type, research/activity area, academic department, and college/administrative unit. Go to REFS Help for more search tips
A: Write an email to REFS@research.umass.edu or simply enter your information into the add/update REFS online form. REFS is designed to reflect the continually evolving configuration of campus research infrastructure. Members of the campus community are encouraged to submit REFS additions / updates early and often to help us keep REFS current.
Search REFS by departmental use. Many UMass REFS are used by multiple departments. Select "Interdepartmental" to search shared facilities and services.
Narrow your search to include only those REFS available to off-campus users. *Note* -- many facilities/services available to off-campus users may require special arrangement with the manager or director.
