The research software engineering (RSE) survey dataset (2016-2022): A longitudinal and international resource for...

Area of Science:

• Computer and Information Science
• Social Sciences

Background:

• The Software Sustainability Institute has collected longitudinal survey data on Research Software Engineers (RSEs) from 2016 to 2022.
• The survey initially focused on the UK and expanded internationally, using a standardized instrument from 2018 onwards for comparability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive dataset on the RSE workforce, covering demographics, employment, technical practices, and job satisfaction.
• To enable longitudinal and cross-country analyses of the RSE profession.
• To support reproducible research through openly available data and analysis code.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal survey design collecting data between 2016 and 2022.
• International data collection with a standardized instrument from 2018.
• Voluntary participation open to individuals identifying as RSEs or performing research-software-related work.

Main Results:

• The dataset includes anonymized responses on demographics, employment, coding practices, training, collaboration, publications, sustainability, networks, and job satisfaction.
• An interactive dashboard allows exploration of trends, cross-country comparisons, and changes across survey waves.
• The data supports workforce comparisons and integration with external datasets.

Conclusions:

• The RSE Survey dataset is a valuable, openly licensed resource for understanding the global RSE workforce.
• Its longitudinal and international scope facilitates diverse research applications, including temporal and comparative analyses.
• Future surveys, including the upcoming 2026 survey, will expand the dataset, ensuring its continued relevance.