Common challenges faced by RSE groups in the UK, and current solutions to support their contributions to research and career pathways: an interview study

One strand within the DisCouRSE Network+ project aims to tackle the systemic barriers to career progression faced by digital Research Technical Professionals (dRTPs) such as RSEs. We are beginning with an in-depth analysis of the diverse structures and promotion processes in use across UK institutions and R&D organisations, on the assumption that different contexts determine the most effective approaches. This talk will present our findings so far and invite others to contribute.

We have conducted over 15 structured interviews with dRTP group leaders so far. Group sizes range from 1 to 70+ people, collectively including 6+ broadly defined professions. Many are centrally located serving their whole organisation, some are embedded within a school/faculty/department, some are distributed. There are a mix of funding models and degree of financial autonomy. Non-staff budgets are available but often squeezed.

Most have more than one career stage represented, with 6 levels being the greatest range. However senior levels usually require managerial responsibility to some extent, and promotion pathways are both rare and often not well suited to dRTPs when they do exist. Most staff are nevertheless on open-ended contracts.

This talk will cover our findings so far in more detail and draw out some “lessons learned” from the challenges that groups have successfully faced, as well as summarising what are seen as key challenges within the sector in the near future. Overall, we see that RTP groups are doing strategically critical work inside organisational structures that were not designed for them.