We’re thrilled to announce that Bioconductor is embarking on a significant redesign of its website, bioconductor.org, and we want to give you a behind-the-scenes look at our journey so far.
Fueling the Transformation with CZI Grant
The project has been made possible through a grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), which was secured by the co-chair of the Bioconductor Community Advisory Board (CAB), Aedin Culhane.
The Genesis of #biocwebsite Channel
In April 2021, we initiated a dedicated Bioconductor Slack #biocwebsite channel to facilitate discussions and updates about the website redesign. It served as the genesis of what would become a comprehensive project.
Forming the Website Working Group
In November 2022, after hiring the Bioconductor Community Manager, Maria Doyle, we solidified our commitment to this endeavor by forming a dedicated Website Working Group. This team of driven individuals took the reins and began the task of identifying the initial requirements, thereby defining the scope of the project.
Partnering with NearForm
To bring our vision to life, we brought NearForm on board, a company well-versed in creating exceptional digital experiences and passionate about open source. We’re currently in the first phase of the project, see figure below, collaborating closely with NearForm on the essential task of design of the core pages.
Launching the User Survey
Understanding the needs of our diverse community is paramount to our redesign efforts. As such, we initiated a user survey running from June 13th-23rd, to gain valuable insights into your experiences, preferences, and needs. The feedback we gather will inform the new design, helping us create a user-friendly and intuitive Bioconductor.org.
From User Insights to UX Testing
Following the survey, we will carry out rigorous UX testing to ensure that our proposed design meets the varied needs of our community effectively. We anticipate showcasing our design and gathering final feedback during BioC2023, Bioconductor’s annual conference.
Maintaining Community Engagement
Keeping our community informed and involved is important to us. Hence, we’ll continue to provide updates on our progress through the Bioconductor Slack #biocwebsite channel.
Looking Forward
As we embark on this exciting journey, we look forward to your continued participation and support. Together, let’s reimagine Bioconductor.org!