www.software.ac.uk

Use software

Fundamental to results

69%

92%

n=417

DOI:10.5281/zenodo.1183562

Researcher

Software

Engineer

Research

Software

Engineer

>10,000 RSEs worldwide

Image courtesy Dan Katz

Visibility

Ensure all technicians within the organisation are identifiable and that the contribution of technicians is visible within and beyond the institution

Recognition

Support technicians to gain recognition through professional registration and external awards schemes

Career Development

Enable career progression opportunities for technicians through the provision of clear, documented career pathways

Sustainability

Ensure the future sustainability of technical skills across the organisation and that technical expertise is fully utilised

Four key areas of the Technician Commitment

1. Research Outputs [*]

2. Research Impact [†]

3. Research Environment [‡]

* It's not actually called  this, it's called the "Contribution to Knowledge and Understanding"... but I'm amongst friends

† They called this one "Engagement and impact"

‡ And this one's actually called "Strategy, People and Research Environment"

157 universities

Publications are the Bhurj Khalifa

Height = 830m

Exhibitions are a typical UK house

~ 5m

Software is a matchbox

~ 5cm

(standing on its side)

Publications are Thrust SSC

763mph

Exhibitions are a horse

~ 20mph

(cantering not galloping)

Software is a snail

~ 0.05mph

Publications are a Blue Whale

~ 120,000kg

Exhibitions are a Crocodile

~ 750kg

Software is a Dachshund

~ 7kg

What's the problem with papers?

The Venn of academic importance and recognition

Show me the incentive and I will show you the outcome

- Charlie Munger

Recognising all research outputs and all the people needed to conduct research will make research more equitable and more effective.

A community-driven, national event that raises awareness of NTOs and hidden roles, and provides a platform for understanding them.

Next competition opens in May 2026

Text

https://www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-research-councils-2024-11-ref-brings-on-board-initiative-championing-hidden-research

What can we do?

https://www.youtube.com/@HiddenREFCampaign/podcasts

If we recognise everyone who is vital to research,

we advance our ability to conduct research.

Image credits

CC-BY images courtesy of Simon Hettrick:

• RSECon16 committee

• RSEs welcome here

• RSE revolution

• Research culture

• Humans are no lasers

• Smoky room

• Research culture lever

• Starry REF

• REF classroom

• Academic money dance

• UK Map

• REF outputs chart

• Academic walking to hole

• Oscar

• The answer is 42

• Boy in playground

• No publications bouncer

• There is a better way

• NTO Assessment Guidelines

• NTO awareness and experience

• The road ahead

Unsplash licensed images (https://unsplash.com/license):

Other images:

• Matchbox: courtesy Donna Brown
• UK House: courtesy jorge percival
• Cantering horse: courtesy sheila swayze
• Snail: courtesy krzysztof niewolny
• Blue whale: courtesyventi views
• Crocodile: Paul Crook
• Daschund: courtesy Hayden Patmore
• Woman and books: daniel

• Bhurj Khalifa: standard licence Shutterstock
• Carrot on stick: public domain
• Leila Whitworth: courtesy of Leila Whitworth
• Emily Sena: courtesy of Emily Sena
• Fiona Macpherson: courtesy of Fiona Macpherson
• Hidden REF banner: courtesy of Hidden REF
• Festival of Hidden REF: courtesy of Hidden REF
• What the REF?!: courtesy of Hidden REF
• Rosie the REFer: cc zero