EGRU
The Task:Redevelop the EGRU (Economic Geology Research Centre) website to provide a flexible, easy-to-manage CMS that could better support their growing library of research, events, and member resources. The goal was to modernise the site’s structure and design, improve navigation for a wide range of users — from researchers and students to industry partners — and build a secure members’ portal for exclusive content and collaboration. The project required a strong focus on information architecture, UX design, and long-term content management flexibility.
The Solution
We rebuilt the EGRU website from the ground up in WordPress, focusing on flexibility, accessibility, and a better user experience. The previous site structure had grown complex over time, making it difficult for users to find key information. We began with an in-depth sitemapping and UX process, collaborating closely with the client to understand their audience — including researchers, students, and industry partners — and how each group interacted with the site.
From there, we redesigned the navigation and page hierarchy to make resources, events, and publications far easier to access. The new layout balances the Centre’s academic identity with a modern, intuitive interface that works across all devices.
To support EGRU’s research community, we also developed a secure members’ portal. This section allows registered users to log in and access exclusive materials such as papers, datasets, and event information. The portal was designed for simplicity and scalability, with custom permissions to accommodate future growth.
The finished site gives EGRU a modern, flexible CMS that the internal team can easily manage — ensuring their research, news, and collaborations remain visible, accessible, and connected to the broader geoscience community.
