"Where do the people come from?"—A mixed methods investigation of Research Software Engineering

Over the last decade, the idea of a role of Research Software Engineer (rse) has gained some adoption. The RSE is a skilled software engineer who focuses on the construction of software for use in research. In a brief time, the idea has gone from a defining term created at a workshop on software sustainability to a job title and group name used at numerous research institutions worldwide, with member societies sharing experience and advocating for career recognition. In short, we are witnessing the creation of a new profession of Research Software Engineering. In April 2025, the presenter defended their doctoral thesis, in which we described their design and implementation of a mixed-methods investigation (containing both quantitative and qualitative components) into the development and propagation of RSE, drawing on relevant theories from the sociology of professions. We believe this to be the first such systematic, scholarly investigation into RSE. We implemented one quantitative and three qualitative studies of RSE, addressing questions on: the state of software engineering knowledge in research; the state of RSE as a profession; the independence of RSE from existing research practice; and the connection between the relationship of researchers and RSEs, and research software practice. Combining these studies into a single mixed-methods programme, we create an overall picture of the state of RSE one decade into its inception, and an evidence-based “manifesto” for future change in the field. We present our research into RSE, our findings, and our recommendations from the manifesto.A recording of this session is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/81D5KFa-Oag