Research Software for Research Data – RSE Landscape in Germany

Software has become an indispensable foundation of modern scientific research, enabling the generation, management, analysis, and long-term preservation of research data across all disciplines. As data volumes, methodological complexity, and computational requirements continue to grow, well-designed and sustainable research software is essential to ensure reproducibility, transparency, and FAIR research practices. Research Software Engineers (RSEs) play a central role in this landscape: they bridge domain expertise and technical innovation, build robust workflows, and develop tools that make data-driven research both scalable and reliable. In Germany, the de-RSE e.V. – Society for Research Software in Germany – advocates for the recognition of research software as a scholarly output and for improved career paths for those who develop and maintain it. Through conferences, community events, and policy engagement, de-RSE e.V. promotes high-quality software practices and strengthens the visibility of RSEs in academia. These efforts are complemented by the joint specialist group Research Software Engineering (Fachgruppe RSE) of the GI – Gesellschaft für Informatik and de-RSE. The specialist group fosters exchange between informatics and scientific communities, advances professionalization, and develops recommendations for the sustainable development and governance of research software in Germany. The poster summarizes current activities and results of these stakeholders.