Diversity by Numbers? Building a Strong eResearch Workforce

Dr Alfred Uhlherr¹

¹researchgate.net/profile/alfred-uhlherr-2, Mt Waverley, Australia

A strong national research ecosystem needs a strong workforce of eResearch professionals.  Requirements for these roles are typically elite level combinations of technical, strategic and interpersonal skills.  It is ironic then that most members of this workforce have apparently become eResearch professionals essentially by accident.

In this presentation we describe a qualitative statistical-logical decision framework for building future eResearch capabilities.  We see that the crucial steps in this process are recruiting and developing the best possible cohort of staff, from the widest possible pool of viable applicants.

Such a framework supports a number of conclusions that are basically common sense, but which nonetheless have ramifications that extend beyond the realm of eResearch.  They raise questions about the following in particular:

1. The prediction of future (e)Research achievements from past performance, via formalised qualifications and assessments, relevant experience, quantifiable attributes, track records, performance metrics/indicators etc.
2. The impact of different (e)Research funding sources and mechanisms on recruitment processes and decisions.
3. The exposure of young people with appropriate potential to relevant STEM-related ideas, skills and career opportunities, during their high school and undergraduate years.
4. The roles of objectivity and fairness in decision making, notably with respect to both the overlaps and the distinctions between diversity advocacy and diversity policy.

Using the framework as a lens to review the Australian eResearch sector reveals a vibrant community, that nonetheless has opportunities to further enhance performance, by addressing selected aspects of both diversity and inclusivity.

Biography:

Alf Uhlherr obtained his BSc (Hons) and PhD at Monash University and postdoctoral fellowship at University of Cambridge.  He worked for 24 years at CSIRO, notably as a principal research scientist focusing on computational science of materials and soft matter.  As Senior Manager, Scientific Computing Services, he was responsible for delivering eResearch services across the organisation, alongside governance roles with NCI, Pawsey, MASSIVE, NCMAC, AeRO and eResearch Australasia.

Alf is a graduate of UNSW-AGSM’s Executive Program “Leading the Research Enterprise” and has extensive experience in leading, recruiting and mentoring eResearch staff.  He identifies as neurodiverse.