Work Packages

WP1: Network Management

Led by Jonathan Cooper, University College London (UCL)

This management focused work package keeps the project on track, well-managed, and aligned with its goals. It is responsible for overall coordination, including managing risks, milestones, and reporting mechanisms. A key component is the administration of the project’s flexible fund, which supports community-led initiatives. WP1 ensures all other work packages align with the project’s goals and values.

WP2: Community

Led by Kirsty Pringle (EPCC, University of Edinburgh) in collaboration with Niccola Hutchinson (UCL)

WP2 focuses on building a community to deepen engagement across the broad spectrum of dRTP roles. This work will first identify relevant stakeholder groups, which will then shape the project’s inclusive engagement strategy and lead to a better understanding of the vital roles dRTPs play in the research ecosystem. A key focus will be involving community champions who can further the network’s goals within their spheres of influence.

WP3: Advanced Skills

Led by Adrian Harwood (University of Manchester) and Dave Horsfall (University of Newcastle)

WP3 has two main work streams: Advanced Training and supporting a community-developed Competency Framework. The former is led by The University of Manchester with Newcastle heading up the latter.

The competency framework (DIRECT) will be a general framework for supporting the development of a wide range of dRTP careers. This work stream will also continue to develop and release a web tool for users to track their progress and develop a personal “skill wheel”. The competencies will align with existing digital and IT skills framework standards such as Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) and the UK Government’s Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) framework.

The work package also delivers advanced leadership and management training courses, where learning outcomes align to a selected set of key competencies from the DIRECT framework. Using a cohort-based model to encourage peer learning and cross-institutional support networks, the training and workshops delivered will draw on existing institutional offerings and make use of the flexible fund to support community-driven training initiatives. This work package connects with a wide number of stakeholders including the SSI and other regional and national projects operating to establish training catalogues or programmes.

WP4: Careers

Led by UCL with contributions from King’s Digital Lab and the KCL central RSE team

This careers-focused work package tackles the systemic barriers to career progression faced by dRTPs. It begins with an in-depth analysis of the diverse structures and promotion processes in use across UK institutions and R&D organisations. Through comparative case studies and structured interviews, WP4 will identify and document successful models for dRTP career development. The aim is to co-produce sector-wide guidance and adaptable frameworks that institutions can adopt. These efforts will culminate in a set of recommendations designed to broaden access to leadership roles without requiring transitions into management or out of academia.

If you lead a group of digital RTPs, we would love to hear from you! Find out more about our interview study and contact us to get involved.

We will also be running focus groups about processes and practices used within digital RTP groups. Are there any specific processes you or your group initiated or adapted you find particularly useful and potentially relevant for the wider RTP community? These could be processes around leadership and strategy (e.g. team structures and roles) as well as Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) processes (e.g. requirements elicitation, project templates, incubation of experimental work) and technical approaches (e.g. development approach, web accessibility) generalisable beyond single research domains. If so, do you have a link to any documentation to share, and/or would you (or someone else from your group) be willing to present it/them at a DisCouRSE focus group? Get in touch to tell us all about it. The first focus group will be held at King’s College London on 19^th January 2026 on the topic of team culture.

WP5: Impact Monitoring and Evaluation

Led by the University of Manchester

The fifth work package evaluates the overall effectiveness of the Network and its funded activities. This includes tracking measurable impacts on individuals, institutions, and policies. WP5 will document how DisCouRSE has influenced practices around dRTP leadership, career pathways, and community collaboration. Lessons learned and best practices will be widely disseminated to shape future investments and inform national strategies for Digital Research Infrastructure.