“I really don’t like Gaussian processes. I wanna write Python libraries.” — A mixed methods investigation of Research Software Engineering in the U.K.

Thesis

Software and its construction are of critical importance to an increasing amount of modern research. Many researchers and creators of research software point to problems in the research community’s engagement with software and the work that goes into it, including failing to recognise software authors as research contributors, and limited software training in research.

From its introduction in the uk research software community approximately a decade ago, the role of Research Software Engineer (RSE) has gained adoption. An RSE may be a skilled software engineer who focuses on the construction of software for use in research, or a researcher who specialises in creating software to support their research goals. In a brief time, RSE has gone from a defining term created at a workshop on software sustainability to a job title and group name used at numerous research institutions worldwide, with member societies sharing experience and advocating for career recognition. In short, we are witnessing the creation of a new profession of Research Software Engineering.

In this thesis, we review the literature on RSE and related fields, and identify that no systematic exploration of the role or the developing profession, nor theoretical analysis, has yet been undertaken. We design a mixed-methods methodology to address this gap, drawing on relevant theories from the sociology of professions to investigate RSE as understood and practised in the UK.

We implement one quantitative and three qualitative studies of the field, addressing questions on: the state of software engineering knowledge in research; the state of RSE as a profession; the independence of RSE from existing research practice; and the connection between the relationship of researchers and RSEs, and research software practice. Combining these studies into a single mixed-methods programme, we characterise the state of RSE one decade since its inception, identify gaps in how the role supports sustainable software in research, and provide an evidence-based “manifesto” for future change in the field.

Authors: Lee, G

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-00vd77gyg
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: RSE; research software engineering; mixed methods
• Subjects: Research; Software engineering