Websites at IARC

What does having a website entail?

Websites are living documents with ongoing needs. They run on a database with software on the front end and the technology is always shifting and changing and growing.

Requirements & Guidelines

All IARC-linked websites must follow these important requirements and guidelines.

- Include your affiliation with IARC. Example: [YOUR GROUP NAME] is part of the International Arctic Research Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
- Use official logos to brand your site as part of UAF, IARC and IARC groups.
- If you customize colors, please choose colors from the IARC palette.
- Include current UA required language in the footer of your site.
- Accessibility: By making your own website, you agree to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
  Federal law and the UA Board of Regents require this.

Ongoing upkeep

All websites require ongoing attention for:

- Updates to site design to stay on-brand.
- Regular content updates for new activities.
- Accessibility analysis of content and design.
- Troubleshooting issues that arise.
- Checking for broken links.
- Good design for functionality and aesthetics.
- Compliance with new or updated requirements.

Do you need a new website?

How to determine if you need a new website

Please consult with the Comms Team before starting a new website. Websites require ongoing maintenance and care, so it should be a careful decision based on:

- How long the project will be funded.
- If there is funding for web and digital accessibility management support built into the funding.
- If there is funding for content creation support built into the funding.
- How much content is expected during the course of the project.
- Specific outreach goals of the project.

Request support

I need a project page or website. Now what?

Communications Team support for web pages and sites

For research projects

Projects differ from major initiatives and collaborations in that they are shorter-term and have definite end dates.

We can create a project page or mini-section on the IARC website that includes a project summary, contact information, a link to related websites, outreach, and IARC-published news.

If you expect to have a lot of news, need regular updates or have more complex needs such as data-driven interfaces, you will need funding to create and maintain your own site.

For major initiatives and collaborations

If you need a website for a long-term, funded, ongoing initiative or collaboration, the Comms Team can work with you to create one. You will need to provide funding for this effort.

Once the site is created, we can train groups to update their website content, and (with continued funding) can provide support for ongoing maintenance, feature requests, and troubleshooting.

Major initiative websites often have their own custom domain and WordPress hosting. They require ongoing funding for maintenance and management.

Contact the IARC Communications team

website decision chart

Make your own website

Google Sites

Google Sites is a free platform that busy researchers can update easily. Its simple templates and "drag-and-drop" interface let you build your website without needing design or coding experience.

If you'd like help setting up the site, you'll need relatively little initial funding. Project personnel can then easily maintain and update the site themselves.

Use Google Sites:

- for short-funded projects under 5 years
- for small to medium projects
- if your project will only have occasional news and events (there is no news blog option)
- if you do not have funding for website support

Building your own Google Site

Log in to Google Sites with your UA user account.
Choose a template and theme. Several options are available.
How to use Google Sites

Page updated

Report abuse