Software Engineering Policies /

2 - Communication Tools

Author(s):Brett Weir Status:Active
Published:2026-01-26 Version:0.2.0
Tags:policy

This document delineates the approved communication tools available to DSRI staff.

Internal communication

Internal communication happens on ULRI-approved systems using @ul.org login accounts, with few exceptions.

By using the same tools, we reduce barriers to communicating with our colleagues at other institutes and help to build a more integrated ULRI.

Outlook

Outlook is the approved email provider at ULRI. It provides the following services:

  • Email

Outlook can be accessed at the following URL:

https://outlook.office.com/mail/

Teams

Teams is the approved real-time communication tool at ULRI. It provides the following services:

  • Text chats

  • Phone calls

  • Video calls

  • Calendaring

Teams can be accessed at the following URL:

https://teams.microsoft.com.mcas.ms/v2/

External communication

Other systems such as Slack may be used when there is a business need; for example, to work with outside contractors or engage with specific communities with their own cultural norms.

Google Workspace

DSRI maintains @dsri.org email addresses so that it can provision its own identity services.

These email addresses should be used only for purposes of account management and not for general communication.

DSRI Slack

DSRI has a Slack instance for engaging with third parties:

https://digitalsafety-4ix1641.slack.com/

SemaFor Community Slack

In our acquisition of SemaFor, we acquired another Slack instance used by the SemaFor research community:

https://semaforgroup.slack.com/