Last month, we had the pleasure of welcoming Research Software Engineers (RSEs) from across the N8 Research Partnership to York for a vibrant and engaging meetup. The event served as a valuable opportunity to connect, share knowledge, and strengthen the RSE community across the North of England.
The day was included insightful presentations, lively discussions, and plenty of networking opportunities. With 38 RSEs in attendance, the meetup brought together a diverse group of professionals—from interns just starting their journey to experienced team leads—also
representing a wide range of research domains.
Key outcomes from the event included:
- Networking and Community Building: Meaningful connections were made among RSEs from different institutions and disciplines, fostering collaboration and support across the N8.
- Knowledge Sharing: Presentations and discussions highlighted important developments in the RSE landscape, showcasing innovative projects, tools, and practices.
- Future Planning: We identified potential organisers for future events, helping to ensure the sustainability and growth of the community.
- Challenges and Needs: Through open dialogue, attendees surfaced some of the key challenges facing RSEs today, including the need for more targeted training and resources to support professional development.
A full list of presentations is available here
Speakers
Throughout the day we heard from a variety of interesting and engaging speakers detailed
below.
Ric Campbell – The Current State of Research Data Management (15 mins)
Ric, the N8CIR RSE Theme Lead, provided a comprehensive overview of Research Data Management (RDM) across N8 institutions. He highlighted the varying levels of RDM maturity and infrastructure, discussed the implications of UKRI’s draft data policy, and emphasized the need for real-world RDM case studies to guide best practices and support advocacy efforts.
Adrian Harwood – Expanding RSE to dRTP Operations (10 mins)
Adrian shared updates on the DisCouRSE initiative and how RSEs are increasingly collaborating with all digital Research Technical Professionals (dRTPs). He showcased operational improvements led by the Manchester RSE group, illustrating how digital research support teams can span multiple professional roles.
Oscar Seip – Introduction to the Software Sustainability Institute (10 mins)
Oscar introduced the Software Sustainability Institute (SSI), outlining its mission and key activities. He focused on the SSI Fellowship Programme, explaining how it supports individuals in promoting better software practices and community engagement within research.
Mike Simpson – Mental Health and the SSI Fellowship (10 mins)
Mike delivered a personal and powerful talk about his mental health journey and how it motivated him to apply for the SSI Fellowship. He shared the initiatives he’s been involved in since becoming a Fellow and encouraged others to engage with the programme to foster inclusive and supportive RSE environments.
Aman Goel – Introduction to the Direct Framework (5 mins)
Aman presented the Direct framework, a tool designed to help define and assess skills and competencies within RSE roles. He explained how it can be used to support career development and team planning by providing a structured approach to evaluating technical and soft skills.
Robert Chisholm – Reasonable Performance Computing & Training (5 mins)
Robert highlighted a common issue in research software: performance bottlenecks caused by non-expert coding practices. He introduced the Reasonable Performance Computing special interest group and a new Carpentries-style short course on performance profiling and optimisation in Python, aimed at improving researcher productivity.
Liam Pattinson – Fortran Tooling Hack Week Outcomes (5 mins)
Liam shared insights from organising a flexible-format Fortran Tooling Hack Week. The event focused on improving developer tools for Fortran, such as testing and packaging. He discussed the benefits of a low-commitment, extended-duration format for fostering community contributions and collaboration.
Alastair Droop – In Praise of UV for Python Package Management (10 mins)
Alastair gave a technical talk advocating for the use of UV, a modern Python package manager. He outlined its advantages over traditional tools, such as speed and reliability, and encouraged attendees to explore UV for managing Python environments more effectively.
Ava Dean – Organising Technical Projects (5 mins)
Ava prompted a discussion on how RSEs organise their work, from personal task management to collaborative project coordination. She explored tools and techniques— ranging from sticky notes to GitHub integrations—and invited attendees to share their own strategies for staying organised.
Samantha Finnigan – The Cheapest KVM (10 mins)
Samantha presented a practical project inspired by a challenge she faced at the Carpentries Offline hackathon during RSECon23. She discussed the development of a low-cost KVM (keyboard-video-mouse) solution and its relevance to RSEs working in resource-constrained environments. All presentation slides from the event are available here, offering a deeper look into the topics covered and the expertise shared.
Discussion topics
Community Development
During the breakout sessions at the N8CIR RSE Meetup 2025, one group focused on the challenges and opportunities surrounding community development within the RSE profession. Their conversation centred on crafting a theory of change that could guide long-term improvements in how RSEs are supported and recognised across the N8.
The group began by envisioning a future where career pathways for RSEs are more diverse and accessible, professional networks are stronger and more inclusive, and skills such as advocacy, leadership, and community building are formally acknowledged and valued. To move toward this vision, they identified several key objectives. These included better coordination of training across the N8 institutions, formal recognition of community management roles, and increased awareness of RSE career options from the earliest stages of academic and professional development.
To achieve these goals, the group proposed a range of actions. They suggested organising networking events that could help RSEs build promotion cases, and running workshops focused on non-technical skills that are often overlooked but essential for career progression. Collaboration with the Software Sustainability Institute was seen as vital, particularly in sharing open educational resources and coordinating training efforts. They also discussed the importance of promoting RSE career paths to students, using N8 communication channels to amplify activities, and leveraging the N8 network to foster cross-institutional engagement. Testimonials from experienced RSE leaders were highlighted as a powerful way to demonstrate the value of community-focused work.
However, the group also acknowledged several barriers that need to be addressed before these actions can be implemented. They noted the need for more sponsorship and financial support, particularly from organisations like SSI and the RSE Society. Time was another critical factor—both in terms of securing funding and allowing RSEs to engage in professional development. They emphasised the importance of broadening training beyond domain-specific knowledge and called for a structured framework that would enable individuals to dedicate time to continuing professional development in a sustainable way.
This discussion laid a strong foundation for future initiatives aimed at strengthening the RSE community, with a clear focus on collaboration, visibility, and long-term career support.
RTP Cost Transparency
Another breakout group turned their attention to the visibility and valuation of Research Technical Professional (RTP) resources within research projects. Their discussion highlighted a persistent challenge—while RTP support is essential throughout the research lifecycle, it is frequently provided “free at the point of use.” This model, while convenient for researchers, can unintentionally obscure the true cost and value of RTP contributions. As a result, these resources may be underappreciated or omitted when funding is requested, leading to gaps in support and sustainability.
The group’s long-term goal was clear: to ensure that all Digital Research Technical Professionals (DRTPs) are properly budgeted for, with a transparent and consistent costing model for digital research work. Achieving this would not only secure the necessary resources but also elevate the perceived importance of RTP roles within the research ecosystem.
Their conversation underscored the need for cultural and structural change—moving away from the assumption that digital research support is an invisible or incidental service, and toward a model where its value is clearly articulated and financially supported. By making these costs visible and integrating them into funding strategies, institutions can better support the professionals who enable high-quality, sustainable research.
Strategy and Leadership
The third breakout group focused on the strategic and leadership challenges facing RSE teams, particularly in the context of growing the Digital Research Professional sector and advancing the role of research software within academia. Their long-term vision was to see thriving, well-supported digital research workforce, underpinned by clear career structures and institutional recognition.
The group identified several key objectives. They emphasised the importance of cultivating skilled and productive staff who are supported in their career development through structured pathways. A deeper understanding of the operational context in which RSEs work was seen as essential, alongside the need for clearly defined roles and career trajectories.
Keeping skills aligned with industry standards and establishing mechanisms for transitioning between job families were also highlighted as priorities. Additionally, the group called for a standardised and transparent recruitment process to help professionalise the sector.
In terms of actions, the group proposed exploring industry practices that could be adapted to academic RSE operations. They discussed comparing RSE competencies with those of industry professionals to identify opportunities for cross-sector mobility and skill sharing. A strong focus was placed on transferable skills and training, with suggestions to define job families and adopt frameworks that support staff development. Entry points into RSE careers —such as internships, graduate roles, and transitions from industry or research—were also considered as part of a broader strategy to attract and retain talent.
The tech-focused breakout group explored the role of accessibility in research software s on recruitment, such as headcount limits, were seen as a major obstacle. Demonstrating the value of RSEs to university decision-makers remains a challenge. To address this, the group proposed developing a competency framework tailored to digital research training professionals (dRTPs), which would outline learning goals, ways to evidence skills, and recommended actions for professional growth. Crucially, they noted that such a framework would need to be flexible enough to apply both generally and within specific organisational contexts. Achieving these goals would also require institutional buy-in and the use of systems thinking tools to embed change effectively.
This discussion underscored the importance of strategic planning and leadership in shaping the future of RSE teams, with a clear call for more structured support, recognition, and investment in the people who drive digital research forward.
Accessibility Technology
The tech-focused breakout group explored the role of accessibility in research software engineering, with a particular emphasis on how RSEs can better support inclusive design and implementation. Their discussion revealed a shared concern: while accessibility is increasingly acknowledged, it often remains a secondary consideration—treated as a “nice to have” rather than an essential requirement.
The group set out several objectives aimed at shifting this mindset. They called for stronger collaboration both within and between institutions to develop and share accessibility solutions. They also stressed the need to embed accessibility more prominently in skills frameworks and training programmes, ensuring that its importance is recognised across the RSE profession. A key theme was the desire to move beyond superficial compliance and toward meaningful improvements that genuinely benefit people with disabilities.
To turn these goals into action, the group proposed creating networks of staff and students with lived experience of accessibility needs, who could help guide and test solutions. They advocated for mandatory accessibility training and the development of a dedicated professional network or special interest group to support ongoing efforts. Securing funding for accessibility-focused projects was also seen as critical, alongside the creation of more training resources tailored to the needs of RSEs.
However, several barriers were identified. Time, funding, and expertise remain significant constraints, and the group highlighted the need for support from initiatives like DisCouRSE and frameworks such as DIRECT to help drive progress. They also noted that existing university disability services tend to focus on students, leaving staff and software output users needs under-addressed. Risk-averse institutional approaches and a lack of individualised thinking were seen as further obstacles to innovation.
The group shared practical observations too—such as the underuse of colourblind-safe design and the misconception that screen reader technology is difficult to implement. They emphasised that usability often takes a back seat in technical projects, and called for a cultural shift that places accessibility at the heart of software development.
This discussion underscored the importance of embedding accessibility into the core of RSE practice, not only as a technical challenge but as a matter of equity and inclusion.
Looking Ahead: Building on the Momentum
The N8CIR RSE Meetup 2025 in York brought together a vibrant and engaged community of Research Software Engineers from across the N8, united by a shared commitment to improving research through software, collaboration, and innovation. From insightful presentations to focused breakout discussions, the event highlighted both the progress being made and the challenges that remain.
To support these goals, we encourage institutions and community leaders to:
- Strengthen Community Development: Continue building networks and sharing resources across institutions. Promote RSE career pathways more visibly, and support professional development through coordinated training and recognition of community-focused roles.
- Improve Visibility of Digital Research Costs: Advocate for transparent costing models within Doctoral Training Partnerships and ensure that digital research support is properly budgeted and valued in funding applications.
- Advance Strategic Leadership: Develop frameworks for career progression, recruitment, and skills development that align with both academic and industry standards. Encourage institutional buy-in and explore systems thinking approaches to embed change.
- Champion Accessibility: Make accessibility a core component of RSE practice. Invest in training, build inclusive networks, and prioritise usability and inclusive design in all technical projects.
Note on the use of AI
Please note that this article was partially created with the use of Enterprise Microsoft 365 Copilot. No data entered is used for model training and no personal data was included. The process involved collating notes from the day into structured descriptive bullet points. These where then included in a prompt to Copilot to produce a summary of the bullet points each section. The outputs were then thoroughly proofread and adapted to the target audience.