Research Software Practices in the Social Sciences

The project

Are you a social sciences researcher who wants to learn new software skills relevant to your field of study but doesn't know where to start? Or are you worried that your work using specific software may not meet the appropriate standards? There are numerous software tools available for social scientists that can help you manage the workload, and we will help you not only choose the most appropriate but also teach you the skills necessary to make informed decisions when choosing digital solutions that are perfect for your needs. 

This project is a direct response to the Software Sustainability Institute report on software use in the social sciences. The report identified several barriers to working with software, including a lack of expertise, inadequate training, and a lack of understanding of software policies. These barriers create anxiety about adopting new software and raise doubts about its potential value, despite the widespread use of various applications and digital tools in research. To address this issue, this project aims to raise awareness about the importance of publishing software in social sciences and to encourage researchers to follow best practices. This will be done through various outreach activities led by specialists in the field of social science.  

The activities

The planned outreach activities, such as talks, panel discussions, workshops, recordings, guides, and blog posts, will offer clear guidance on using research software effectively in the social sciences, ensuring that its benefits go beyond technical considerations and support. To ensure that these events are accessible across the UK, all of them will be hosted online. Talks and panel discussions will be recorded for those who will not be able to attend. Certificates of attendance will also be provided to workshop participants. You will find all the information on specific events, and how to enrol, in blog posts available on this website. 

The team 

The project is overseen by a diverse team of research specialists from four different universities. They are experienced in working with software and teaching best practices within the social sciences: 

• Debora Price – Professor of Social Gerontology, University of Manchester; Deputy Director of the UK Data Service 
• Elizabeth Green - Senior Lecturer in Economics, University of West England 
• Arkadiusz Wiśniowski - Professor of Social Statistics & Demography, University of Manchester 
• David Beer – Professor of Sociology, University of York 
• Jools Kasmire – Research Fellow, University of Manchester 
• Pierre Walthery – Research Associate, University of Manchester 
• Yarong Xie – Research Fellow, University of Edinburgh 

If you have questions regarding the project or want to contribute to it in some way, please feel free to email the project manager Andrzej Romaniuk or the principal investigator Selina Aragon.