RSE Career Pathways Event (Part 1/2 - Presentations)
Channel: Society of Research Software Engineering
Date: 2021-06-18

Research Software Engineers (RSEs) come from a diverse set of backgrounds and career stages. The Society of Research Software Engineering provides an inclusive community for all who identify with the objective of “furthering RSE practice for the benefit of society”. There have been some great successes because of the RSE community such as RSE fellowship, emergence of RSE groups and international recognition of the role of RSEs. Despite the success, our community has reflected that opportunities for RSE professionals do not offer the same levels of reward and recognition as for research only focused roles.  This event explored some of the boundaries to career progression which impact on the diverse yet talented community of RSEs within the UK. 

The event included presentations from UKRI on the Research Concordat and the Technicians commitment as well as presentations from RSEs in the community at a range of careers stages, including junior RSEs. The Research Concordat and the Technicians commitment are supported by UKRI and set out a series of principles and obligations to be followed by research institutions in supporting talent development. It is anticipated that some parts of our community may align to these initiatives while others may not. This event provided an opportunity to explore where these initiatives may help or hinder RSE career progression, discuss the limitations of fixed university job families, identify gaps which existing initiatives do not address, and offered an opportunity to explore broader factors which affect recognition and reward.