RSEs as trainers – the who, why and how of providing digital research skills training

Abstract

RSEs often provide training for researchers and dRTPs at their local institution in the digital research skills used in their own work. These courses cover a diverse range of topics, from beginners' language courses, to software architecture and efficiency, to specialised tools and platforms like HPC, AI and domain-specific packages. There are ongoing works to raise awareness of the broad skillset that RSEs and researcher-coders need in order to create good quality, sustainable research software (e.g. DIRECT framework), as well as sharing and evaluating existing training resources. This BoF aims to gather RSEs who are interested or involved in providing training and to take a step back from the day-to-day rush of delivering content for a wider view. In small group discussions, we will tackle topics such as the process of running a training service that meets the needs of your audience throughout their research journey, the lifecycle of an individual course, and how training is valued and supported at different institutions. As RSE and dRTP groups grow, opportunities arise to specialise in certain technologies or domains. We will discuss whether providing training is seen as a general duty of all dRTPs, a specialism taken on by a keen few, or a distinct career path. By sharing the attitudes and models of different institutions, we will consider how we can increase recognition of the value that a well-resourced and supported training service can give to researchers and institutions as well as funders and industrial partners.