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

2013

2025

https://society-rse.org/community/rse-groups/

We are not alone

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 and 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 your 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 roles needed to conduct research will make research more equitable and more effective.

Recognising all research outputs and every role that makes research possible

www.hidden-ref.org

Text

This will allow the submission of outputs by any staff member, including non-academic staff.

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

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

NTOs

Not-traditionally submitted outputs

If we recognise everyone who is vital to research,

we advance our ability to conduct research.

Hidden REF Competition

Launches May 2026

Submission deadline mid-September 2026

Award Ceremony November 2026

www.hidden-ref.org

Hidden REF Community Call

Shaping a Healthy Research Culture: Your Experiences, Our Future

Tuesday 27th January 2026, 11:00-12:00 GMT

https://hidden-ref.org/resources/community-calls/

Thank you!

ORCID: 0000-0002-6809-5195, AHRC Grant no: AH/Z000114/1

Licence

© Simon Hettrick. These slides are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International : https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Image licences are available on the next slide

Link to slides

https://slides.com/simonhettrick/ukrn-virtual-cafe-26

Email

sjh@ecs.soton.ac.uk

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:

• Devil's tower: courtesy Steve Wrzeszczynski
• 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

• RSECon25: courtesy of Society of RSE
• Bhurj Khalifa: standard licence Shutterstock
• Thrust SSC:
• 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
• Liverpool NTO workshop: courtesy of Hidden REF
• RSE2016 attendees: courtesy of Society of RSE