Embedding a Right to Replicate in RSE practices

20 min talk presented at RSECon23 UK in Swansea, 5-7th September 2023: https://rsecon23.society-rse.org/

Short link to Google Slides: https://tinyurl.com/rsecon23-r2r-talk

Abstract

As RSEs, we are constantly faced with choices to avoid vendor lock-in, in some form or another, and think about the sustainability and reusability of our outputs. This talk will introduce the Right to Replicate as an example of both how the issue of vendor lock-in has been addressed for infrastructure projects by outlining specific infrastructure commitments when developing digital goods, and how setting such values at an organisation or team level can lubricate operational activities. Lastly, the talk will invite reflection on where a Right to Replicate could apply to less infrastructure-centred projects.

Audience

RSEs develop software that advances science through technological innovation, and often do this openly to enable collaboration and future work. The Right to Replicate (https://2i2c.org/right-to-replicate/) is an example of codifying these beliefs into concrete strategies for working practices. RSE leaders and policymakers will particularly benefit from this talk in terms of imagining what a Right to Replicate (or similar) may look like for their team's outputs.