Building Connected Technical Networks: A Framework for Digital Communities

Digital Research Technical Professionals (dRTPs) at universities often work in isolation with limited visibility and few leadership opportunities. This project will pilot a model to connect and strengthen these communities. We will begin by mapping the university’s dRTP landscape and building on the existing Research Coding Community, which already spans multiple faculties and professional services.

A central focus of the Hub is in-person community building. Cat and Hugh’s successful Coding Clubs show a strong appetite for face-to-face learning and collaboration. Building on this, our Digital Thursdays will provide a regular anchor for the community, offering a welcoming space for shared learning, conversation, and informal networking that fosters trust and belonging.

These sessions will also highlight emerging community leaders, giving them structured opportunities to develop facilitation, coordination, and communication skills recognised within the university’s professional development frameworks.

From this core hub, we aim to support existing groups and enable new initiatives to form where gaps are identified. Members will be encouraged to start Special Interest clubs, supported by openly available resources such as “Club-in-a-Box” templates, facilitation guides, and a shared events calendar.

Finally, a co-design workshop with dRTPs will help finalise the framework for sustaining communication and leadership across the community.