What do we (not) know about research software engineering?

Lamprecht, A.-L., Martinez-Ortiz, C., Barker, M., Bartholomew, S. L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6180-3603, Barton, J., Chue Hong, N., Cohen, J., Druskat, S., Forest, J., Grad, J.-N., Katz, D. S., Richardson, R., Rosca, R., Schulte, D., Struck, A. and Weinzierl, M. (2022) What do we (not) know about research software engineering? Journal of Open Research Software, 10 (1). 11. ISSN 2049-9647 doi: 10.5334/jors.384

Abstract/Summary

As recognition of the vital importance of software for contemporary research is increasing, Research Software Engineering (RSE) is emerging as a discipline in its own right. We present an inventory of relevant research questions about RSE as a basis for future research and initiatives to advance the field, highlighting selected literature and initiatives. This work is the outcome of a RSE community workshop held as part of the 2020 International Series of Online Research Software Events (SORSE) which identified and prioritized key questions across three overlapping themes: people, policy and infrastructure. Almost half of the questions focus on the people theme, which addresses issues related to career paths, recognition and motivation; recruitment and retention; skills; and diversity, equity and inclusion. However, the people and policy themes have the same number of prioritized questions. We recommend that different types of stakeholders, such as RSE employers and policy makers, take responsibility for supporting or encouraging answering of these questions by organizations that have an interest. Initiatives such as the International Council of RSE Associations should also be engaged in this work.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/116899
Identification Number/DOI	10.5334/jors.384
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Science > School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences > NCAS Science > School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences > Department of Meteorology
Publisher	Ubiquity Press
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