This Focus Group will bring together researchers, digital Research Technical Professional leaders, educators, and sustainability experts to explore how digital Research Technical Professionals (dRTPs) can be supported to influence and accelerate environmental sustainability across digital research.

Supported by the DisCouRSE network, the focus group will explore the activities, responsibilities, and roles through which dRTPs can become sustainability leaders in their field.

The workshop will focus on:

  • How dRTPs can influence environmental sustainability decisions across digital research
  • How dRTPs can shape workflows and technical practices to reduce environmental impact
  • How sustainable practices can be embedded into digital research without requiring formal authority
  • How the activities and responsibilities of dRTPs can be better defined in relation to environmental sustainability leadership

The focus group will bring together perspectives from across research, technical leadership, education, and sustainability to explore the opportunities and challenges involved in making environmental sustainability part of digital research practice.

The focus group will take place:

  • Where: Bayes Centre, University of Edinburgh — Ground Floor Meeting Room
  • When: Tuesday 17 November 2026, 9.30 am (coffee) 10 am –4.00 pm
  • Format: In person only — there will be no hybrid or online attendance option

Places are limited to 40 attendees. If demand exceeds capacity, applicants will be selected to ensure a range of roles, institutions, and career stages are represented.

Data submitted through the registration form will be stored on UCL SharePoint and used only for the organisation of this event. The data will be removed at the end of the DisCouRSE project.

Register for the focus group.