SAGE3 | EVL

SAGE3

Created on June 12, 2025

2025 · sage3 collaboration visualization AI open-source · research

SAGE3 in the Continuum classroom at EVL

People want to make better decisions, and to do that, they need better ways to think and collaborate. However, in today’s information-saturated world, the sheer volume and complexity of data can overwhelm even the best teams. Sorting through vast amounts of information, developing and sharing innovative ideas effectively, and reaching well-informed decisions quickly are challenges that traditional tools struggle to address.

SAGE3 tackles these challenges head-on by transforming how groups collaborate. As an open-source platform backed by over 20 years of National Science Foundation funded research [1,4], SAGE3 is designed to help teams make sense of complex information and work together more effectively. By seamlessly complementing with tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, and now integrating Artificial Intelligence, SAGE3 creates a unified environment where information and ideas can flow freely.

With real-time information sharing, AI and visualization capabilities, SAGE3 provides a dynamic platform for collaboration across laptops, meeting room projectors, and large tiled display walls- enabling teams to think more clearly, ideate more creatively, and reach decisions faster and with greater confidence.

Relevants publications include: (Belcaid et al., 2023; Leigh et al., 2019; Harden et al., n.d.; Andrews et al., 2010).

Links:

Main project site: SAGE3
More information at: https://sage3.sagecommons.org/?page_id=921

References

Mahdi Belcaid, Jason Leigh, Ryan Theriot, Nurit Kirshenbaum, Roderick Tabalba, Michael Rogers, Andrew Johnson, Maxine Brown, Luc Renambot, Lance Long, Arthur Nishimoto, Chris North, and Jesse Harden, Reflecting on the Scalable Adaptive Graphics Environment Team’s 20-Year Translational Research Endeavor in Digital Collaboration Tools, Computing in Science & Engineering, Mar, 2023
Abstract DOI

Translational software research bridges the gap between scientific innovations and practical applications, driving impactful societal advancements. However, developing such software is challenging due to interdisciplinary collaboration, technology adoption, and postfunding sustainability. This article presents the experiences and insights of the Scalable Adaptive Graphics Environment (SAGE) team, which has spent two decades developing translational, cross-disciplinary, collaboration tools to benefit computational science research. With a focus on SAGE and its next-generation iterations, we explore the inherent challenges in translational research, such as fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, motivating technology adoption, and ensuring postfunding product sustainability. We also discuss the roles of funding agencies, policymakers, and academic institutions in promoting translational research. Although the journey is fraught with challenges, the societal impact and satisfaction derived from translational research underscore its significance in the broader scientific landscape. This article aims to encourage further conversation and the development of effective models for translational software projects.
Jason Leigh, Dylan Kobayashi, Nurit Kirshenbaum, Troy Wooton, Alberto Gonzalez, Luc Renambot, Andrew Johnson, Maxine Brown, Andrew Burks, Krishna Bharadwaj, Arthur Nishimoto, Lance Long, Jason Haga, John Burns, Francis Cristobal, Jared McLean, Roberto Pelayo, and Mahdi Belcaid, Usage Patterns of Wideband Display Environments In e-Science Research, Development and Training, In 2019 15th International Conference on eScience (eScience), 2019
DOI
Jesse Harden, Elizabeth Christman, Nurit Kirshenbaum, Mahdi Belcaid, Jason Leigh, and Chris North, “There is no reason anybody should be using 1D anymore”: Design and Evaluation of 2D Jupyter Notebooks, Graphics Interface 2023,
Christopher Andrews, Alex Endert, and Chris North, Space to think: large high-resolution displays for sensemaking, In Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 2010
Abstract DOI

Space supports human cognitive abilities in a myriad of ways. The note attached to the side of the monitor, the papers spread out on the desk, diagrams scrawled on a whiteboard, and even the keys left out on the counter are all examples of using space to recall, reveal relationships, and think. Technological advances have made it possible to construct large display environments in which space has real meaning. This paper examines how increased space affects the way displays are regarded and used within the context of the cognitively demanding task of sensemaking. A pair of studies were conducted demonstrating how the spatial environment supports sensemaking by becoming part of the distributed cognitive process, providing both external memory and a semantic layer.