Innovations and Future Directions in the AuScope Virtual Research Environment

The AuScope Virtual Research Environment (AVRE) is a platform advancing geoscience research through integrated data access, analysis, and interoperability. Having evolved from the original AuScope GRID, AVRE now underpins the Data Lens of the Downward-Looking Telescope (DLT) that describes AuScope as a national research infrastructure for the geosciences. AVRE gives researchers a unified access to geoscience data from other AuScope programmes and from the government geological survey organisations.

Looking forward, AVRE is enhancing the findability, accessibility, and interoperability of its dataset catalogue through a new Python package and QGIS plugin. Significant additions to the AVRE services portfolio are the AuScope Data Repository, Sample Repository, Instrument Register, and Research Activity Identifier (RAiD) Register. The findability of resources will be improved by implementing natural language search powered by large language models. These innovations, together with continued integration of new catalogues and repositories, alongside robust user engagement and analytics, will ensure AVRE remains a cornerstone for collaborative, data-driven geoscience in Australia.