Our Research Software Engineers can contribute to projects in a number of ways.
In some circumstance, our role is analogous to that of a technician in a traditional research project. For example, implementing a software solution based around existing libraries or frameworks. Here, we ask only that you acknowledge our contribution:
This software was developed with assistance from the Southampton Research Software Group.
In other situations, our RSEs act as collaborators – developing bespoke code that furthers the research goals of a project e.g., contributing to to algorithm development, significantly increasing performance, scalability or marketability.
In accordance with the University’s Authorship, Contribution and Publishing Policy:
“An author is an individual who has made substantial contributions to the conceptual design or implementation of the project resulting in publication. Substantial contributions include, but are not limited to: …product or software development…”
In these circumstances we would hope to receive co-authorship on publications resulting from the research. In these circumstances, where commercialisation is the goal, we would also expect to be receive appropriate consideration when IP is apportioned.