Leveraging aNSwer: Connecting Environmental Research Across Ireland

1. EHS presentation28 April 2005

2. Presentation Content • Introductions • Background to aNSwer • Origins of project • AMAS contract • aNSwer: • Guide to the site and the database • Membership, functionality • Leveraging aNSwer • Parent bodies • Members • Stakeholders • Promotional plan • Questions and answers

3. Background • Founded in April 2001 • Service offerings – eBusiness and eGovernment • strategy • content • marketing • Leverage deep experience in creating and managing traditional media and building national brands • Vendor-independent, support clients to deliver eBusiness and eGovernment projects

4. aNSwer origins Background • North South Ministerial Council, forum for co-operation North and South • Sectoral meeting on environment, agreed to set up electronic database of research • NSMC sanctioned the establishment of aNSwer Vision • A North South website of environmental research • Partnership between EHS and EPA • A virtual model Mission • To promote environmental research on the island of Ireland to benefit policy makers, researchers and students

5. aNSwer milestones

6. AMAS contract AMAS is contracted to: • Manage all site activity • Approve membership • Update database, news, links, FAQs • Answer members emails, queries • Promote the website • Focus on environmental community • Drive awareness and usage AMAS has also evaluated technology and project managed site upgrade

7. aNSwer key figures

8. aNSwer members • Who are they? • Government departments • Government agencies • Environmental consultants • Third level institutions • Students • How did they join? • EPA, EHS referrals • Occasional additional requests – currently six a month

9. Member organisations

10. aNSwer resources • Environmental projects • News • Funding opportunities • Resource library • Research articles • Members area • Glossary

11. www.answeronline.org

12. Home page

13. Projects

14. News and Opportunities

15. aNSwer Research Article

16. Members Section

17. Member Login

18. Funding Opportunities

19. Events

20. Leveraging aNSwer • Benefits of aNSwer to EHS • Offers access to central all-island resource for environmental science • Important promotional channel for EHS to post projects, new, events funding opportunities • aNSwer can help avoid duplication of research, foster greater co-operation • Can help to fast-track research • Clients can self-serve – reduce time and effort on part of EHS staff

21. Leveraging aNSwer • EHS clients can use aNSwer to: • Find out about environmental research projects • Publicise their own research • Identify collaboratation opportunities • Contact other researchers • Find out about funding organisations • Keep up-to-date on environmental news and funding opportunities • Get published environmental reports

22. Promotional plan • Parent bodies • Encourage them to use it and recommend it • Use their online and offline channels to promote aNSwer • Members • Use online channels to increase usage and referrals • Mailshot • Target organisations who should be aNSwer members • Events • Presence at relevant conferences and exhibitions • PR • Media release to specialist media • Online marketing • Links, search engine marketing

23. EHS We want you to: • Use aNSwer • Tell clients about it and what it can do for them • Encourage them to: • Join at individual and organisational level • Use aNSwer resources • Post information • Give us feedback!

24. Contact Any queries about aNSwer, contact: Louise Shanley Research and Marketing Assistant AMAS Ltd sitemanager@answeronline.org 00 353 1 6610499

25. EHS presentation28 April 2005