Across geoscience, software is central to how research is conducted, shared, and reproduced. From the complex Earth-system simulations on high-performance computers to processing raw instrument data from fieldwork, software is a cornerstone of the modern open science process.
Supporting this collaborative research effort involves not only researchers, but many other digital research technical professionals (RTPs), for example research software engineers (RSEs) and data stewards. As the saying goes, “Better Software, Better Research” and their unique skills enable more efficient, reproducible, openly accessible science.

This session highlights how engagement between researchers and RTP/RSEs enhances science, facilitates collaboration and communication, and supports sustainable reuse of research outputs across domains. We aim to build a RTP/RSE community at EGU, recognise their contributions, and facilitate future collaboration. To achieve this we invite stories of both success and failure, with lessons learned to be shared with others. How has the engagement of RTP/RSEs on a project enhanced scientific quality or facilitated transfer of research to operation?

We want to hear about cross-cutting software or workflows developed and used across the geosciences and beyond. We welcome examples of software reuse: where adopting and extending existing tools and workflows enabled new science, and where making software publicly available has had an impact across communities. How were these projects conceived, supported, and their userbase grown? Beyond the software, we also invite contributions that explore how open software intersects with open data, reproducibility studies, the application of FAIR principles or reuse in ways that would not otherwise have been possible.
Finally, we invite talks on research software policy. How are projects funded, what is the role of RTP/RSEs in this process, and how does this differ between institutions? How are teams built and organised to have the greatest effect - centralised vs. embedded - and how are careers developed and recognised? What impact can RTP/RSEs have on technical policies and training within their institution, for example around environmental/green computing initiatives, the use of generative AI, or advocating for open science principles?

We solicit submissions from anyone working towards open science across academia and industry sharing transferable experiences relating to any of the above.