Building a reference architecture for virtual research environments

Virtual Research Environments (VREs) aim to support multidisciplinary research and collaboration between researchers, but face great challenges from data heterogeneity, user experience issues, and fast changes to datasets. This complicates research on multidisciplinary societal challenges. The objective of this paper is to present a reference architecture and components that can be (re)used to construct a general, domain-specific or cross-domain enhanced VRE (e-VRE) that enhances FAIR-ness of data and process interoperability across research infrastructures. The e-VRE makes it easier to conduct multidisciplinary research by assisting the researcher in accessing and utilising the assets of research, commonly stored in digital Research Infrastructures. The reference architecture also reduces complexity by interfacing with research management systems.