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Suggested panellist background

For each session, we would like panellists who feel they can contribute with the following general points in mind regarding their background and discussion topics. You do not need to fulfill all these criteria and they should be seen as a guide. Please do not count yourself out.

Linking all DRI Roles, how do we ensure collaboration across the professions?
  • People coming from diverse DRI roles to share their insights on fostering collaboration within the DRI community.
  • Ideal participants will understand the challenges and opportunities of working across different DRI professions.
  • We encourage representatives from academia, industry, and research institutions to contribute their perspectives.
Building trust and effective communication between DRI professionals and researchers from different disciplines.
  • Experience fostering collaboration between DRI professionals and researchers from different fields and levels of expertise.
  • Familiarity in bridging the gap between technical expertise and research needs.
  • A willingness to discuss successful tactics for building trust, overcoming language barriers, and establishing effective communication channels.
Making connections as the ‘lone’ DRI professional in your workspace and hybrid working solutions
  • An ability to discuss mechanisms and solutions for effective communication with colleagues when working alone including successes and common pitfalls encountered

Provision of training materials and digital support networks for academics

  • Experience developing and delivering training materials or building digital support networks for academics.
  • Knowledge of the challenges researchers face in utilizing DRI tools and resources.
  • The development of successful training programs, online platforms, and community-building initiatives that have supported academics in their research endeavours.

The funding landscape and making connections to align with UKRI calls
  • Expertise in navigating the UKRI funding landscape and securing grants for DRI projects.
  • Knowledge of funding opportunities, proposal development, and building successful collaborations.
  • Tactics for identifying relevant funding calls, constructing compelling proposals, and maximizing your chances of securing funding.
Building relationships with industrial partners
  • Successful experience building and maintaining partnerships between academia and industry in the DRI field.
  • Familiarity with identifying potential industrial partners, negotiating collaborations, and fostering long-term relationships.
  • Strategies for aligning research goals with industry needs and measuring the impact of these partnerships.
Data collection, sustainability and integrity
  • Understanding the size of datasets that are now required to be curated in their various forms
  • Familiarity with funding body requirements and the implications for local infrastructure to support researchers in fulfilling these.
  • Successful methods of managing researchers' expectations and how to ensure they include data management and curation at the start of their projects
Barriers encountered accessing HPC
  • First-hand experience in overcoming challenges related to accessing HPC resources.
  • Insights into technical, administrative, or financial.
  • Approaches for addressing these barriers and improving HPC accessibility for researchers

The impact of AI and machine learning on DRI workflows
  • Familiarity in applying AI and machine learning techniques to DRI workflows.
  • Sharing how to develop and implement AI-driven solutions.
  • Using AI tools and frameworks, the challenges faced, and the benefits achieved.
  • Considering ethical implications and future directions of AI in DRI.
DRI beyond HPC and RSE
  • Expertise in expanding the scope of DRI services beyond traditional HPC and RSE roles.
  • Awareness of emerging research data management practices, data science, and other related fields.
  • A willingness to discuss innovative DRI initiatives, the challenges of broadening DRI services, and the potential impact on research communities.
The environmental impacts of infrastructure
  • Experience of, and concern about, the environmental impact of research infrastructure.
  • Understanding energy consumption, carbon footprint, waste management, and sustainable practices within the DRI sector.
  • Share current strategies to reduce the environmental impact of DRI operations and the potential for DRI to contribute to environmental research and solutions.
  • Offer thoughts on the future of DRI roles and responsibilities
Preparing for the next generation of research computing infrastructure
  • An understanding of emerging technologies and their potential impact on research computing.
  • Expertise in areas such as high-performance computing, cloud computing, quantum computing, or AI/ML.
  • Sharing your vision for future research infrastructure, challenges in adopting new technologies, and strategies for preparing research communities for these changes.

Career progression pathways for DRI professionals
  • Working in any DRI role who has experienced career growth within the field.
  • Discussing how various career paths available to DRI professionals are invaluable.
  • Outlining variable career trajectories, the skills and experiences that contributed to advancement, and challenges and opportunities encountered.
  • Experience in career development strategies, mentorship, and industry trends that impact career progression.
Accessible training and keeping relevant in a rapidly changing environment
  • Expertise in designing and delivering effective training programs for DRI professionals.
  • Knowledge of adult learning principles, emerging technologies, and challenges of keeping up with industry advancements.
  • Discuss innovative training methods, strategies for making training accessible to diverse audiences, and approaches to fostering a culture of continuous learning within DRI organizations.
Recruitment and diversity. How should it change?
  • A background in implementing EDI/DEI strategies within their organizations.
  • Knowledge in creating inclusive workplaces, attracting diverse talent, and fostering a culture of belonging.
  • Introduce your organization's EDI/DEI journey, the challenges faced, and the successes achieved.
  • Present specific initiatives encountered, such as unconscious bias training, mentorship programs, and employee resource groups.
Developing leadership skills for DRI professionals
  • Proven leadership experience in the DRI field.
  • An ability to inspire and motivate teams, build strong relationships, and drive.
  • Outline your leadership journey, challenges faced, and strategies employed to develop your leadership skills.
  • Discussion of leadership styles, mentoring, and coaching within the DRI context.

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