Software development in academia – a personal perspective

Speaker

Dr. Marnik Bercx (Center of Scientific Computing, Theory and Data; Laboratory for Materials Simulations; PSI).

Location and Time

Friday, 29 November, 11:00 to 12:00 at VE102, Empa, Dübendorf

Abstract

Software development in academia is often an underappreciated and undervalued aspect of scientific research.

Many researchers who contribute to software projects lack formal training in programming, having picked up coding skills through necessity rather than education. This results in software that may not meet high standards of quality, maintainability, or documentation. Despite its importance, funding agencies often fail to recognize that software development requires dedicated expertise, resources, and ongoing maintenance, leading to a reliance on well-meaning individuals who contribute code in their spare time.

Meanwhile, the academic rewards, such as citations and career advancement, typically accrue to those producing scientific papers, not the software that underpins them. Furthermore, many scientists prioritize research outcomes over software development, seeing the latter as secondary to their core scientific goals.

However, recent initiatives such as the Research Software Engineer (RSE) movement are helping address these issues by providing career paths for software-focused scientists. These efforts are crucial to sustaining the academic ecosystem, ensuring that software development receives the attention and support it needs to thrive, and that the infrastructure supporting modern research remains functional and reliable.