Research Software Practice 

HDRH is conscious of the difference between professional research software engineering (RSE) and the kinds of methods and practices that HASS researchers and students need to enable their work. We are working with the Social Science Research Infrastructure Network (SSRIN) project to define Research Software Practice (RSP) on that basis, referring to globally leading initiatives such as the United Kingdom’s Software Sustainability Institute’s (SSI) training. This work is in its early stages and being led by Lovira Putri.

RSP focuses on the practical aspects of working with digital tools and data in research contexts, particularly within humanities, arts, and social sciences. While Research Software Engineering (RSE) addresses complex technical development and programming solutions, we recognise that many researchers need support with the foundational practices that sit between basic digital literacy and advanced engineering expertise, especially as AI tools rapidly transform research workflow.

This practice systematises the work that researchers are already doing, often in isolation and without formal guidance, by providing structured frameworks, best practices, and community support tailored to non-technical research contexts. Rather than requiring researchers to become programmers or engineers, RSP aims to make essential digital research practices accessible to scholars whose primary expertise lies in their disciplinary domains rather than technical development.

Fostering RSP Capabilities at HDRH

At the HDRH we support researchers in developing research software practices suited to their disciplinary contexts and research goals. Improving research software practice capabilities can advance research in multiple ways:

Enhance research practice

The ultimate goal of RSP is simply to srengthen digital research capabilities, and to help you work more efficiently and reproducibly with data and tools.

Critical engagement with emerging technologies

RSP should enhance the critical use of AI and other emerging technologies for research, to help colleagues make informed decisions about when and how to integrate them into research. 

Improve collaboration 

RSP should also help researchers collaborate more effectively and efficiently with RSEs, technical specialists, and digitally-oriented collaborators

Make informed methodological decisions 

The goal of RSP is to help researchers evaluate when to develop capabilities themselves, when to seek RSE support, and how to scope digital components of research projects to ensure high quality grant bids and research outputs.

Contribute to sustainable digital research culture 

Investing time in understanding RSP should establish better practices within your research group or department for sustainable and reproducible digital work.

Whether you're beginning to work with digital methods or looking to systematise practices developed informally, engaging RSP can help. Contact us for more information.