May 4 – 8, 2026
CERN
Europe/Zurich timezone
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Green Research Software Engineering: A new role to Embed Sustainability in Research Software

May 6, 2026, 9:15 AM
25m
503/1-001 - Council Chamber (CERN)

503/1-001 - Council Chamber

CERN

162
Show room on map

Speaker

Dr Kirsty Pringle (University of Edinburgh / Software Sustainability Institute)

Description

Research Software Engineers (RSEs) collaborate with researchers to develop and maintain software, helping to embed best practices that improve reliability and reduce inefficiencies in research workflows.

As awareness grows of the environmental impact of computational research, a new specialism - Green RSE- is emerging. Green RSEs integrate environmental sustainability into software development, ensuring environmental considerations are addressed alongside performance and usability. But despite its potential to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of research computing, the role is still loosely defined and lacks formal recognition or clear career pathways.

To address this gap, the Green RSE Special Interest Group has been established in collaboration with the UK Society of Research Software Engineering. This initiative aims to build a community, share best practices, and define the skills and responsibilities of Green RSEs.

Early findings highlight how Green RSEs can support sustainable software practices across disciplines and contribute to reducing the environmental impact of computational research.

Author

Dr Kirsty Pringle (University of Edinburgh / Software Sustainability Institute)

Presentation materials