Edinburgh Uni Gains £10.2M Fund for Sustainable Software Research
In a significant move towards promoting sustainable practices within the realm of software development, the University of Edinburgh, alongside The Universities of Manchester and Southampton, has embarked on a groundbreaking phase of research aimed at enhancing the environmental sustainability of software. This ambitious initiative is poised to embark on a new chapter, thanks to a generous funding boost of £10.2 million from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The considerable investment underscores a commitment to advancing research that harmonizes with the principles of sustainability, especially in an era increasingly defined by technological innovation.
At the heart of this initiative is the Software Sustainability Institute (SSI), a collaborative effort that encompasses the expertise and ambition of several leading universities. With the University of Edinburgh’s EPCC (formerly known as the Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre) steering this new phase, the project is set to address critical aspects of software development, including the enhancement of equality, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility within the research software community. Furthermore, the initiative acknowledges the burgeoning interest in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, seeking to integrate these cutting-edge technologies in a manner that emphasizes sustainability.
The SSI’s commitment to broadening its impact and outreach is evident through its partnership with Open Life Science, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to diversifying leadership in the research sector. Additionally, collaboration with the University of Oxford aims to forge strategic connections with the arts and humanities communities, thereby fostering a multidisciplinary approach to sustainable software development.
Professor Mark Parsons, EPCC director, reflects on the institute’s decade-long journey, highlighting the indispensability of reliable, reproducible, and reusable software across all research disciplines. “I’m excited to see what SSI can achieve in this next phase,” Parsons comments, underscoring the initiative’s focus on addressing the environmental impact of software, the integration of AI, and the recognition of software as a vital research output.
SSI director and EPCC professor, Neil Chue Hong, adds, “Every modern societal advance is driven by research which relies on software.” He emphasizes the importance of providing equitable access to digital tools and skills, a mission that the new grant will greatly facilitate. This funding not only sustains the SSI but also strengthens its capacity to contribute to a sustainable future for research software.
The project, led by the Art and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), represents a comprehensive effort to develop research software that not only meets the highest standards of quality but also addresses the pressing needs of the research community. Christopher Smith, AHRC executive, remarks, “Software plays a fundamental role in all disciplines of research.” Smith’s statement highlights the imperative to support the development of research software that is not only top quality and meets community needs but is also environmentally sustainable and future-ready.
This latest phase of research at the University of Edinburgh epitomizes a forward-thinking approach to the development and use of software. By integrating considerations of sustainability, equity, and innovation, the initiative sets a precedent for the future of research in a digital age. As the project unfolds, it stands to offer valuable insights and developments that could reshape the landscape of software research in the pursuit of a more sustainable, inclusive, and technologically advanced society.
