Working from a control centre in Rockhampton, Jason Bell is the leader of quality assurance for the burgeoning network of access grid facilities throughout the world.

Mr Bell's leadership role has been recognised with one of only 3 'best presentation' awards announced during the global access grid conference in Chicago in May this year. The other awards went to presenters based at University of Queensland and in the United States.

A copy of Mr Bell's presentation is here

Details on the conference are here

Access grids are an emerging internet-based technology which enables interaction between individuals and small groups who may be spread anywhere in the world.

A global access grid node listing is here

Participants can not only see each other on multi-picture wall-size screens - they can also share presentations including videos, powerpoints, microscope slides and computer graphics.

Currently installed at 210 room sites around the world, the technology lends itself to research collaborations but is being used for cross-institutional teaching, virtual conferences and multi-site organisational planning as well.

Mr Bell, of CQU, has developed a quality assurance system originally devised for the United Kingdom into a truly global resource, which means access grid users can ensure facilities have a guaranteed quality of sound, visuals and potential for shared applications.

He not only does the QA testing from Rockhampton but is also training and assessing a network of accredited QA representatives from other countries.

CQU has access grid rooms at its campuses in Rockhampton, Gladstone and Bundaberg. Another access grid room is being established at CQU Mackay.