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Prof. Dr. Andreas Vogelsang von der Universität Köln wird als Teil der "Lecture Series on AI in Science and Society" am 16.05.2025 von 14:15–15:45 Uhr in H27 (GW II) einen Vortrag zum Thema "Research Software Engineering: Better Software, Better Research" halten.

Abstract: Software is integral to modern research, yet it is often developed without the rigor and structure found in traditional software engineering. This talk explores how adopting sound software engineering (SE) principles can lead to more accurate, reproducible, and sustainable scientific outcomes. Many research projects rely on custom-built software created by domain experts with little formal SE training. The result is a wide gap—the “software chasm”—between the needs of research and the practices of professional software development. This disconnect contributes to well-documented crises in productivity and credibility in computational science. Drawing from empirical studies and case analyses, we examine common challenges in research software, including lack of documentation, insufficient testing, and tightly coupled code. We then explore actionable strategies to address these issues: from lightweight SE practices like code reviews and CI/CD pipelines to the use of domain-specific languages and future-proof architectures. Breaking the cycle of poor-quality software requires both technical and cultural change. By investing in better tools, clearer processes, and stronger collaboration between researchers and software engineers, we can close the gap and elevate software to a true research output. Attendees will gain insights into improving their own software practices and understand why better software is essential for better research.