RSE NUAcT Development Programme 2021–2022: Introduction
The Research Software Engineering (RSE) team at Newcastle University offer software support and training to researchers across the university. This year, we are able to offer a unique programme of events and support to NUAcT Fellows and their staff funded by the university.
The programme will include:
- Events and seminars to learn about how software solutions can support your research goals.
- 1:1 drop-in clinics and long term support from an RSE commencing late November to discuss ideas, learn more about working with and RSE, get signposting to technology support and access grant writing help.
- Training in core principles of software development for you and your research teams.
Our welcome event will be held on Zoom on 16th November 2022 2–3pm. At this event, you’ll hear more about the programme, see examples of projects from all three faculties, and have the opportunity to ask questions. You should have received an email invite, but if you haven’t, please get in touch with Dr Kate Court, RSE contact, or the NUAcT team.
What does the RSE team do?
The RSE team is made up of 15 software engineers with a broad range of backgrounds and skillsets. Researchers can buy RSE time to develop software solutions as part of their research projects. Some approach the team post-award, but most researchers work with us to cost development time into their research proposals. When you cost in RSE time, you can draw upon support from across the team, in a flexible way, adjusting to suit your project. The team also offers grant writing support and training. To find out more visit our website.
Why get involved in the RSE NUAcT Development Programme?
- Upskill yourself or your research team: Fellows can apply for places for themselves and/or their staff and students on our Software Carpentries workshops commencing January 2022. Currently over-subscribed, we run regular workshops for researchers and students in core programming skills and will now bring these to NUAcT fellows. The workshops are suitable for those with no prior experience and those who want to learn best practice to enhance their programming. In a future blog post we will cover the workshop content in greater detail.
- Stimulate ideas: We’ll provide case studies introducing the variety of ways that RSEs have worked with researchers across all faculties to help with data collection, management, analysis and communication. For example, we’ll cover how we have helped researchers manage large datasets and complex workflows, use machine learning and create engaging visualisations. At our 1:1 drop in sessions we welcome researchers whose ideas are fully formed and those who are just considering how software can support their research goals.
- Grant writing support: We can provide 1:1 grant writing assistance. Sometimes this may be contributing a few sentences about how the project infrastructure will be hosted, adding data storage options to a data management plan, or suggesting a few paragraphs to describe a piece of technology you are proposing. Attend a drop in session to begin working with us.
- Understand what working with an RSE is like: It can be hard to imagine how the collaboration with an RSE works. Sometimes an RSE works independently to a brief, at other times they are embedded in the research team, attending weekly meetings and contributing to the research direction. You’ll hear case studies that illustrate the variety of working practices we can accommodate.
- Get to know other Fellows: All research involves data and technology in some way. Throughout the programme, there will be opportunities to get to know other NUAcT Fellows who are looking to solve similar data challenges.
As this is the first year this programme has run, Fellows have the opportunity to shape the support to their needs and we’ll be collecting feedback throughout. As RSEs we are always learning and operating in unfamiliar domain areas. As such, we understand the apprehension about approaching new ways of working and learning new things. If you feel the same about this programme, we would encourage you to get involved — we are very friendly and approachable. Likewise, if you already write code but want to get better, we are always happy to learn together and share best practices.
Look out for more announcements and blog posts soon.
Get involved: Our welcome event is on 16th November 2022 2–3pm. Attend to hear more about the programme and case studies of previous projects. If you would like to ask any questions now, please get in touch with Dr Kate Court.
