1. Research Software Developers Network
I’m going to tell you a little about a new initiative, started in June 2015, that is bringing together “Research Software Developers” from around the University. It has formal backing from several departments and groups (as you can see from the logos), and members in every Division.
Leader: Jonathan Cooper, Computer Science

2. Software and Research
Increasingly most research is critically dependent on developing novel software or data systems
Crowdsourcing for humanities projects
Game development for experimental psychology
Quantitative understanding of biology
Safety-critical medical diagnostics
Firstly, a little background. Increasingly most research is critically dependent on developing novel software or data systems – the research just couldn’t happen otherwise. This is no longer true just in the physical sciences – it spans the whole of the University’s activities.
So we have examples like … (can take a little time here). I dare say you can think of others.
Of course, it is hard to be an expert both in your subject and in IT, so most researchers (though by no means all) have limited skills in this area. But we still need people with these skills in academia, and we increasingly need this to be professional, not amateur self-taught work. Which brings us back to Research Software Developers (or RSDs).

3. What are Research Software Developers?
RSDs combine expertise in development with an understanding of research
RSD skills are applicable across academic disciplines
RSDs are often isolated within their research group or unit
RSDs combine expertise in software & data development with an intimate understanding of the research environment (unlike an IT contractor). Their skills are also typically applicable across academic disciplines.
Oxford employs many such people – there are already 160 on our mailing list – where the ‘RSD’ label applies to all or part of their role (may also be teaching, research, support, …).
While in some places RSDs work in small teams (e.g. Bodleian, IT Services, clinical departments, Zooniverse) often they are isolated as the only developer in their research group. There is no sharing of skills / expertise / experience between RSDs in different departments or research groups. Improving communication between RSDs has great scope to improve their work, and hence the University’s research.

4. Research Software Developers Network
The RSDN provides a community and support structure
Share experiences and expertise among RSDs
Better RSD staff recruitment and retention
Training & mentoring for RSDs (and researchers)
Better research!
We are connecting Research Software Developers by creating a community – the RSD Network – with regular meetings, and a supporting website & mailing list.
This will bring various benefits for Oxford, both to PIs and to RSDs.
Better communication will reduce duplication and facilitate innovation, by allowing RSDs to focus on the novel aspects of their projects.
The Network will provide a source of local, verified RSD expertise, allowing PIs to obtain higher skills for lower cost, and on the flip side help RSDs to find their next role, so avoiding losing valuable expertise from the University.
Ultimately we hope to make Oxford a more attractive place for RSDs to work and to build a professional status, working on aspects such as support, role definition, pay scales and career path.
We will thus obtain more highly skilled and motivated staff to improve the University’s research.
Talk to me, or visit the website, to find out more, or indeed get involved.
RSDN

5. RSDN Activities Monthly meetings
Lightning talks, discussions, hackathons, training, …
Website
RSD profiles
News & events, vacancies, contract work
Ideas forum
Mailing list
Representative body for RSDs