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Consultation Services

Simon Fraser University is home to a range of institutes and initiatives that helps you uncover new insights in your data

The Vancouver Institute for Visual Analytics

The Vancouver Institute for Visual Analytics (VIVA) helps people take masses of data in forms that are not often clear and explore it interactively by transforming the data into meaningful visualizations, revealing hidden patterns and problem solutions. As a multidisciplinary research institute, VIVA promotes visual analytics and provides training in visual analytics tools, techniques and theory. VIVA also connects students and researchers with industry to help people from all sectors solve data problems using visual analytics.

What We Do:

  • Provide training on visual analytics tools, techniques and theory
  • Connects students and researchers with industry
  • Work with you to discovery how to visualize data to better deliver research results to your organization

Director | Lyn Bartram

Contact VIVA

 

The Centre for Operations Research and Decision Sciences

The Centre for Operations Research and Decision Sciences (CORDS) focuses on research in the area of operations research: the science of optimal decision-making. Members undertake both basic and applied research, and collaborate with industry by consulting and facilitating student internships. The Complex Systems Modelling Group (CSMG), a part of CORDS, is an interdisciplinary research group that provides cutting edge mathematical modelling, business analytics, data analysis, data synthesis, and simulation modelling for strategic and operational planning.

CSMG Director/CORDS Acting Director | Sandy Rutherford

Contact CSMG
Contact CORDS

 

The Omics Data Science Initiative

The Omics Data Science Initiative (ODSI) responds to the growing needs for computational methods for the study of life sciences, in particular in the areas of public health microbiology and precision medicine. ODSI provides a centralized collaborative platform to support researchers and students through shared facilities, advance knowledge mobilization and technology transfer, and facilitate cross-sector collaborations with external partners.

Contact ODSI

 

The Statistical Consulting Service 

The Statistical Consulting Service (SCS) provides expert statistical advice to individuals involved in data-based research projects, and facilitates access to a variety of modern computing facilities and software. Formed in 1980, SCS promotes effective links between academic statisticians and applied researchers across academia, industry and government. SCS operates on a cost-recovery basis.

What We Do: 

  • Design of experiments or surveys
  • Sample size determination
  • Suggest software for statistical analysis
  • Advise on graphical data summaries
  • Suggest inferential techniques when appropriate
  • Assess study protocols in grant applications
  • Advise on quality assurance and reliability methods
  • Offer short courses

Director | Ian Bercovitz

Contact SCS

 

SFU Library

SFU Library offers a wealth of services for students, faculty, staff and people outside of the university. These include:

Librarian for Data Services and Government Information | Carla Graebner

Contact SFU Library

 

The Digital Humanities Innovation Lab

The Digital Humanities Innovation Lab (DHIL) fosters collaboration and interdisciplinarity to promote the development and dissemination of high-quality research that positions SFU as a world leader in digital scholarship. Located in the W.A.C. Bennett Library at SFU's Burnaby Campus and utilizing meeting space at the Vancouver and Surrey Campuses, DHIL represents an opportunity to align research in the Digital Humanities with the Library’s expertise in digital initiatives, unique special collections and research skill-development programming.

What We Do:

  • Assist SFU researchers with the development of digital scholarship research 
  • Provide research and technical consultations 
  • Provide research software development and technical support to faculty and graduate students 
  • Provide free digital humanities skills workshops 

Contact DHIL


IT Services Research Computing Group 

IT Services Research Computing Group (RCG) facilitates access to a number of IT services to best support your research activities, including access to high performance computing installations and large-scale storage solutions. The RCG supports the research activities of Canadian researchers and their collaborators. Any researcher, not just “big” users, has access to these services, which includes utilization of the SFU Data Centre.

What We Do:

  • Provide expertise regarding specific software packages;
  • Facilitate access to high performance computing installations and large-scale storage facilities
  • Provides assistance in analyzing, designing, and procuring IT software and hardware for projects (subject to staff availability);
  • Provides project management support (subject to staff availability); and
  • Provides assistance with preparing the IT section of grant proposals.

Director | Martin Siegert

Contact RCG