Fellow Detail

My research depends on sustainable software. As an environmental modeller, I work with a range of software projects, as both developer and user. I use software, particularly computational fluid dynamics, to calculate risk associated with tsunamis, the environmental impact of marine energy devices and to work out environments in recent and deep time. My research even extends into bioinformatics and the blending of numerical modelling with phylogenetic data.

I have used the knowledge and experience gained since my Master's degree at EPCC (Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre) to make sure that these are sustainable and accessible pieces of software. What does that mean? It means using revision control, writing tutorials, writing manuals, running workshops and publishing the software in journals. In short, creating a community around the software of users and developers to ensure that the software is used as widely as possible for the biggest gain beyond that of the project where it was created. I have been fortunate to be involved in developing three major research software projects: Fluidity, SPRINT and the Supertree Tool Kit (STK). Each is open source, easy to install for the average user and comes with tutorials and manuals to help the user. They are at varying stages of their life cycle and have varying numbers of active users, but all are available to be used in future projects. This has given me a great deal of experience dealing with very experienced developers as well as training those new to the craft.

As a software developer and researcher I am well placed to see the issue of software sustainability from both sides. As a developer, I want to see exciting projects take off, using new techniques and tools to make the most of the resources available. As a researcher, I want good quality, stable, well documented, easy-to-use, easy to install software. I am excited to have the opportunity to be an SSI Fellow, sharing my experiences and knowledge to a wider audience and give back to the community that has helped me to prosper in a research environment.