Migration of Professor Pages from Sitecore to IST Directory

University Relations Digital - 23 April 2020

As part of the migration from Sitecore to Cascade, one of the key components requiring a new solution is the Professor Pages section in Sitecore.

The Professor Pages module was custom built within Sitecore to allow professors a preformatted method of building a personal webpage. While Cascade does have a module that is similar, it does not provide the same level of functionality the users currently have access to within Sitecore. Additionally, using the Cascade module would continue the practice of having duplicate search results within the UAlberta search when searching for a person.

In order to provide a similar solution to the current Sitecore Professor Pages and eliminate duplicate search results, UR Digital and IST have worked together to move Professor Pages data into the U of A Directory. The new Professor Pages will launch as part of an improved IST Directory during the week of May 4.

The new Professor Page results will also leverage the functionality of the U of A’s new site search engine: Coveo. In addition to displaying the results on the current U of A search page, faculties and departments will also use the Coveo interface on their sites for listing faculty and professors.

Migration of the data from Sitecore to the directory will take place starting the week of April 27. During this time, editing of Professor Pages in Sitecore will be frozen.

The new Professor Pages will launch as part of a new and improved IST Directory the week of May 4. 

Important notes around the migration of Professor Pages

  • Professor Pages will now become part of the IST directory. Within the directory, similar data fields will be maintained, including auto-populated course listings, research details, publication listing and the ability to be listed as a member of multiple faculties.
  • Cascade does have a module for listing academic staff, but it did not meet the requirements of the Professor pages module at the U of A.
  • Searches and listings of professors within a faculty/department and university-wide will leverage the current U of A search engine: Coveo.
  • Moving Professor Pages within the IST Directory will eliminate duplicate search results in people searches (professor page and directory listing). The directory listing will now be the single source.
  • Using the Directory allows for all staff to have an updated listing and display on a faculty/department page.
  • The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry professional pages are not affected by this change. For more details on updating your FoMD professional page, please contact MedIT.

Further information