What we do
Over the years, the Institute has advocated for and developed an understanding of the fundamental importance of research software, its developers and users, its requirements, and how software advances research in the UK.
We are innovative, highly collaborative, and undeterred by even the most obstinate problems. We are experts in working across disciplines and identifying the people within communities who can effect change.
We have learned to focus on scalable enterprises that allow us to maximise the impact of our work. We are committed to improving equality, diversity, and inclusivity across all of our activities.
We are a partnership of three UK universities: Edinburgh (led by EPCC), Manchester, and Southampton. The SSI is supported by UKRI through the Digital Research Infrastructure programme.
Better Software Better Research
The SSI represents the needs of software users and developers in the research community. We created the tagline "Better Software, Better Research" to lobby for the recognition of the role of software in research, better software education for the research community, recognition of the role of people who develop research software and better engineering of software to provide confidence in the results that software generates.
- We believe that the full benefits of software in research will only be realised when software is accepted as a valid research output.
- We call for all researchers to have access to basic software training to help them harness the power of software for their research.
- We say that there must be reward and recognition for Research Software Engineers: the people who contribute to research by developing software.
- Finally, we argue that good software practices create better software, and that better software improves the reproducibility and reusability of research.
Better Software Better Research
Our key successes
Our successes are underpinned by highly effective working methodologies that we have continually refined over the organisation’s lifetime.
210+ Fellows
We fund researchers, research software engineers, and industry staff who want to improve software practices in their areas.
>10,000 Research Software Engineers (RSEs)
Since 2012, we've led a campaign that launched a new career in research, supported the formation of the Society of Research Software Engineering, and actively contributed to the RSE movement around the world.
8,000+ researchers trained
We created and now maintain a scalable and sustainable national training environment by developing new courses, organising workshops, and bringing in and training new instructors.
260+ successful collaborations
We provide consultancy and guidance to both software experts and beginners in 30+ countries.
Using our brand
Our brand guidelines were designed to help present a consistent, coherent and clear image that will support and enhance the status of the SSI.
Download the SSI Brand Guidelines document
Download the SSI logos
Contact us
Address:
The Software Sustainability Institute, EPCC, University of Edinburgh, The Bayes Centre, 47 Potterrow, Edinburgh, EH8 9BT, UK.
Email address:
SSI staff members are based at one of three universities across the UK: Edinburgh, Manchester, or Southampton. Reach out if you have any questions, would like more information or would like to work with us.
Contact us