News

Welcome to the third post in our six-part series exploring the future of research software in Germany. In each installment, we present opinion statements on why a national research software institution could and should be created to strengthen Germany’s research ecosystem.

The current heterogeneous and fragmented state of the German research software ecosystem results in considerable hidden costs and wasted resources. Numerous parallel structures exist, sometimes even within the same institution, which lead to redundant developments and inefficient, non-standardised custom-built solutions.

Welcome to the second post in our six-part series exploring the future of research software in Germany. In each installment, we present opinion statements on why a national research software institution could and should be created to strengthen Germany’s research ecosystem.

Software, as a product of human activity, requires continuous maintenance and further development. Enhanced recognition, reputation, and career paths for the people developing research software (research software engineers) are essential to attract and retain qualified professionals in this field.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has signaled an important shift in their recognition of and approach to research software, recognizing it as an essential research output right up there with text publications and data.