Commission or enable the development of a high-prestige expert report (e.g., such as a National Academies consensus report) on topics such as career pathways/progression in academia for research software, recognition of software, evaluation of research software developers, and inclusion of software in academic hiring and promotion. #17
Potential Activity Scope
If commissioning this report, this may involve defining the scope, raising funds, and working with the chosen entity to establish the study or report production process.
Alternatively, if performing the work, the following steps would also be needed:
Delivering a high-prestige expert report such as a National Academies consensus report is a significant undertaking. It involves bringing together a panel of experts, conducting comprehensive research, and producing a report that can influence policy and practice in academia.
The first step in this process is to assemble a diverse group of experts who have deep knowledge and experience in the relevant areas. This could include academics who specialize in research software, administrators who are involved in hiring and promotion decisions, and research software developers themselves.
The panel would then embark on a comprehensive research process. This could involve reviewing existing literature, conducting new research, and consulting with a wide range of stakeholders. The aim would be to gain a deep understanding of the current state of affairs, identify best practices, and uncover gaps and challenges.
The findings of this research would be synthesized into a report. This report would provide a detailed analysis of the topics at hand, including the career pathways for research software in academia, the recognition of software as a scholarly output, and the evaluation of research software developers, and the inclusion of software considerations in academic hiring and promotion. The report would also provide recommendations for how to address the challenges identified and promote best practices.
The report would be written in a clear and accessible style, and it would be rigorously reviewed to ensure its accuracy and relevance. Once published, it would be widely disseminated to reach as many stakeholders as possible.
Potential Objectives
The following objectives may apply to the process of ensuring the successful delivery of this kind of report:
To identify and engage a diverse group of experts who can conduct a comprehensive study on the relevant topics, ensuring the panel represents a variety of perspectives, including different disciplines, career stages, and types of institutions.
To provide the necessary resources and support for the panel to conduct a thorough research process, including reviewing existing literature, conducting new research, and consulting with a wide range of stakeholders.
To oversee the synthesis of the research findings into a detailed and accessible report, ensuring it provides a comprehensive analysis of the topics at hand, as well as actionable recommendations.
To facilitate a rigorous review process for the report, ensuring its accuracy and relevance, by engaging both internal and external experts in the field.
To strategize and execute wide dissemination of the report once published, ensuring it reaches as many stakeholders as possible through a variety of platforms, including academic journals, conferences, and social media.
To leverage the report to influence policy and practice in universities and other research institutions, by engaging directly with policymakers and practitioners, presenting the findings at relevant events, and providing support for those seeking to implement the recommendations.
Targeted Impacts
Such a report could influence policy and practice in universities and other research institutions (as well as funders), leading to greater recognition and support for research software and those who develop it. It could also contribute to a broader cultural shift, promoting a more inclusive and holistic understanding of scholarly output with research software firmly ensconced within this understanding.
This potential activity was curated as part of "Charting the Course: Policy and Planning for Sustainable Research Software," a Sloan Foundation-funded project within URSSI dedicated to supporting the future of research software through evidence-informed policy work (Project contacts are: @danielskatz and @dr-eric-jensen). If you are interested in working on this, please add a comment.
Potential Activity Scope If commissioning this report, this may involve defining the scope, raising funds, and working with the chosen entity to establish the study or report production process.
Alternatively, if performing the work, the following steps would also be needed:
Potential Objectives The following objectives may apply to the process of ensuring the successful delivery of this kind of report:
Targeted Impacts Such a report could influence policy and practice in universities and other research institutions (as well as funders), leading to greater recognition and support for research software and those who develop it. It could also contribute to a broader cultural shift, promoting a more inclusive and holistic understanding of scholarly output with research software firmly ensconced within this understanding.
This potential activity was curated as part of "Charting the Course: Policy and Planning for Sustainable Research Software," a Sloan Foundation-funded project within URSSI dedicated to supporting the future of research software through evidence-informed policy work (Project contacts are: @danielskatz and @dr-eric-jensen). If you are interested in working on this, please add a comment.