ArkSphere
Research networking module for discovering collaborators, building research communities, visualizing professional networks, and browsing EC-funded organizations and people.
ArkSphere is ResearchArk's research networking module. It connects researchers, organizations, and funding opportunities into an integrated network that helps you find collaborators, build project consortia, and understand the research landscape around your work.
The module combines a people directory with advanced filtering, an organization browser, interactive network visualization, user-created research communities (Spheres), and a dedicated European Commission directory. AI-powered recommendations surface relevant connections and collaboration opportunities based on your profile, expertise, and activity.
Navigation
ArkSphere is organized into six sections, accessible from the submenu bar:
| Section | Path | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Dashboard | /arksphere | Quick actions, recent activity, your spheres, and AI recommendations |
| People | /arksphere/people | Discover researchers, manage connections and followers |
| Organizations | /arksphere/organizations | Browse and search research organizations |
| Network | /arksphere/network | Interactive force-directed network visualization |
| Spheres | /arksphere/spheres | Create and manage topic-based research communities |
| EC Directory | /arksphere/ec-directory | European Commission organizations and people directory |
Key Features
- People discovery -- Search researchers by name, knowledge field, location, career level, and user type. AI-generated match scores highlight the strongest potential collaborators.
- Social networking -- Send connection requests, follow researchers and organizations, and manage your professional network.
- Organization browser -- Search and filter 16 organization types by country, focus area, and reputation score.
- Network visualization -- Explore a D3.js force-directed graph showing connections between people, organizations, spheres, and projects with a network health score.
- Spheres -- Create and join research communities with member management, activity feeds, discussions, and AI-assisted consortium building.
- EC Directory -- Browse European Commission-funded organizations and people with claim, partner search, and filtering capabilities.
- AI recommendations -- Smart suggestions for collaborators, connections, sphere members, and relevant opportunities, all dismissible and refreshable.
Dashboard
The ArkSphere dashboard at /arksphere serves as the module's home screen. It provides:
- Quick actions -- Shortcuts to search people, create a sphere, or browse organizations.
- Recent activity -- A feed of recent events across your network, including new connections, sphere updates, and follow activity.
- My Spheres -- A summary of spheres you belong to with quick-access links.
- Recommendations -- AI-generated suggestions for connections, spheres, and opportunities tailored to your profile and activity. Each recommendation can be dismissed or refreshed.
Explore ArkSphere
People Directory
Search for researchers by expertise, location, career level, and more.
Organizations
Browse research institutions, companies, and public bodies with focus area filtering.
Network Overview
Visualize your research network with an interactive force-directed graph.
Spheres
Create and join research communities with AI-assisted consortium building.
EC Directory
Browse European Commission organizations and people with partner search capabilities.
Application Management
Track grant applications through their full lifecycle with search, filtering, section-based writing, AI content generation, compliance checking, and team collaboration.
People Directory
Discover researchers using advanced filters for knowledge fields, location, career level, and user type, and manage connections, followers, and sphere memberships.