Recommendations for developing effective inclusivity initiatives in Research Software Engineering

Research software engineering in the UK is less diverse in terms of race and gender compared to both academia and the commercial software sector [1], limiting the perspectives needed to address the complex research challenges we face today. To develop meaningful inclusivity initiatives, we need to understand the workplace experiences of underrepresented individuals who contribute to research software development. However, such sociological research often places a significant emotional burden on participants, which is not always balanced by sufficient benefits. In this paper, we introduce ten guidelines for conducting research that promotes ownership and equity for participants from underrepresented groups, with recommendations specific to the research software community. Our guidelines are rooted in a co-production approach, partnering with underrepresented individuals throughout the research process. This ensures that the most pressing issues are addressed, leading to initiatives that can positively influence research software culture and benefit research outcomes.