People First: Sustaining Research Software by Sustaining the People Who Build It

People First: Sustaining Research Software by Sustaining the People Who Build It reframes the sustainability conversation in research software—from one focused solely on code quality and maintenance to one that centres the wellbeing of the people behind the software. In this talk, we challenge traditional definitions of sustainability by spotlighting the developers, maintainers, contributors, and community facilitators whose emotional labour and institutional precarity often go unrecognised. Drawing on real-world experiences from both academia and open-source projects, we explore how burnout, impostor syndrome, and the absence of psychological safety compromise not only individual health but also the long-term viability of research software itself. We share actionable, people-first practices—such as burnout-aware project planning, inclusive mentorship, and valuing all forms of contribution—that can help foster more resilient communities. The session also features an interactive “Sustainability Check-In,” where participants reflect on what they need to feel supported in their work and propose cultural or structural changes for healthier RSE environments. This presentation is a call to rethink sustainability as care work—and to design research software ecosystems where people can thrive, not just survive.