Sailing the high Cs: Carpentries Community Collaboration in Australia-Aotearoa
Liz Stokes1, Nisha Ghatak2 1Australian Research Data Commons, Sydney, NSW, Australia2New Zealand eScience Infrastructure, Auckland New Zealand
Abstract
Situation
In July 2023 we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the first Software Carpentry workshop. Researchers from across The Carpentries community reflected on how their scientific practices and trainer expertise has benefited from engaging with peers from around the world.
A skilled research workforce relies on building capacity in data and computational skills for conducting efficient, open, and reproducible research. The Carpentries approach to teaching openly licenced curricula grounded in evidence-based train-the-trainer program and community development has many benefits for both Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Australian research communities. Importantly, our countries are close and different enough to make comparison and collaboration fruitful endeavours. Initiated this year, the AU-NZ Carpentries community calls have brought to the surface many shared challenges, providing opportunities for skill sharing and problem solving.
Task
Forgrounded by researcher impact stories, this BoF will review community development efforts and strategic partnerships across the eResearch sector undertaken in both countries.
Action
Researchers will be invited to share impact narratives of their involvement in The Carpentries, highlighting applied skills and where this has taken them. A summary review of community engagement strategies will follow, reflecting on best practices for community engagement. BoF participants will discuss which skill development and community strategies resonate. Recommendations for new opportunities and target communities will be sought.
Result
Synthesis of the BoF discussions and recommendations will inform strategic development and future efforts to nourish the Trans-Tasman Carpentries community.
Biography
Liz Stokes is a Skills Development Lead in Trainer Communities at the Australian Research Data Commons. She leads the ARDC Carpentries Partnership and is active in the global Carpentries community. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2973-5647
Nisha Ghatak is a Research Communities Advisor – Training Lead at NeSI. She facilitates skill development efforts nationally and supports training communities through her role as a community coordinator for The Carpentries in Aotearoa New Zealand. Nisha was also recently elected as an Executive Council member for The Carpentries.