Both events were organised by colleagues from the Digital Library Department at Göttingen University Library (SUB), in collaboration with de-RSE e.V. (Society for Research Software), the Digitality in Science’ Alliance Priority Area „Digitalität in der Wissenschaft“ and the GWDG (Gesellschaft für wissenschaftliche Datenverarbeitung Göttingen).
The workshop ‘AI-Supported Research Software Development’, held in the SUB’s historic building on 22 and 23 September, focused on the opportunities and challenges involved in using AI tools in the development of research software. Participants shared their experiences, discussed possibilities and limitations, and worked together on approaches and best practices for the use of AI in Research Software Engineering.
This was followed, from 23 to 25 September, by the ‘deRSE Collaboration Workshop 2026’ at the conference centre attached to the Historic Observatory. Organised in an ‘unconference’ format, the event focused on collaborative work, hackathons and practical exercises. Rather than presenting ready-made solutions, the participants developed ideas together, tackled specific challenges and forged new partnerships.
The two events highlighted the topics currently shaping the RSE community: How is AI changing the development of research software? How can knowledge and experience be shared more effectively? And how can sustainable collaborations be built? The intensive exchange in Göttingen provided numerous opportunities to explore these questions and brought RSEs from across Germany together.