RSSE Africa Meetup May 2022 - What are Research Software Engineers and am I one?
Channel: RSSE Africa
Date: 12/05/2022

Do you spend a lot of time coding or building data and computing infrastructure in research settings?

Research Software and Systems Engineering Africa (RSSE Africa) invites you to join us for an exciting series of online presentations and community discussions. The aim of these events is to stimulate the growth of an African community of practice around research software and system practices.

EVENT: 11 May 2022

Title: Research Software Engineers and the future of research

Abstract: Almost all research projects today rely on research software. May it be for project planning, data collection, data analysis, or publication. Research software engineers (RSEs) are specialists who both know how research works as well as how to develop and maintain software. Although RSEs have such a valuable skill set, we do not always feel valued. Career paths are missing, incentives in academia play against us and software are still not seen as a first-class citizen in science. In this talk, I will share with you my ideas on how to ensure a bright future in research based on good software and happy RSEs.

Slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1cWhSdIainJ5Ia7T5yMyiP79SRa8R9KhXZUDZu8ucEG8/edit?usp=sharing

Speaker: Dr Heidi Sibold

Short bio: Dr Heidi Seibold works at the intersection of data science, open science and health research. She is an R nerd, podcast junkie and bike rider.

Title: Bootstrapping an RSE Group at Stellenbosch University - updates from RSE@SUN

Abstract: Kim was introduced to the term 'RSE' in Heidi's keynote talk at UseR! 2021, and that moment was an epiphany that lead to the foundation of RSE@SUN - the first RSE Group in Africa. The model is still evolving, and it has been a journey of 'bootstrapping': building on the work of existing communities, and bringing together supporters and resources from across the university.

Slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1dWiSLWlMiPAhZ6ZvW70gnEuWakEpebaRl4rwqUJVtxs/edit?usp=sharing

Speaker: Dr Kim Martin

Short bio: Dr Kim Martin is a postdoctoral researcher who is championing the role of Research Software Engineers in the academic ecosystem, and working to build a sustainable RSE Group at Stellenbosch University.

For more information please visit https://rsse.africa/, follow us https://twitter.com/RSSEAfrica, or read our flyer at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lVBtQSokPqBIGwiMfGGf75tXKxsWldrx/view?usp=sharing. 

Register for upcoming events in 2022 at https://qkt.io/rsse-africa-2022