Key issues paper on general challenges, specific needs and possible solutions published

After conducting 18 interviews with experts from the German research software ecosystem, we identified key challenges, needs and possible solutions. In our paper ‘Key points for the design of a German research software institution. General challenges, specific needs and possible solutions’, we explain these challenges, specify them with ten descriptions of needs and present possible solutions and next steps in the FutuRSI project. Click here for the key points paper.

These challenges lead to systemic weaknesses in the German research software ecosystem and impair the quality and reproducibility of scientific results: there is a lack of development expertise and training pathways for research software engineers (RSEs), and there is an inconsistent understanding of the role that characterises RSEs. Career paths at scientific institutions are inadequate and development work is not sufficiently recognised. The German science system is extremely heterogeneous, which makes coordination initiatives difficult. The quality of research software is sometimes inadequate and there is a lack of reusability. In addition, the scientific literature on this topic is insufficient.

Go directly to the key issues paper