Software and Data Carpentry

Software Carpentry (SWC) and Data Carpentry (DC) are world-renowned organisations that teach researchers computing skills. DTL/ELIXIR-NL, the Netherlands eScience Center (NLeSC), and SURFsara are actively aligning the Dutch SWC/DC initiatives.

 

The Software Carpentry Foundation and its sister organisation Data Carpentry, are world-renowned for their efforts. They are teaching researchers in science, engineering, medicine and related disciplines the computing skills they need. In addition, they have built up a curriculum, to which people worldwide contribute and help improve. This curriculum is openly accessible on Github. Last but not least, they are building capacity worldwide, i.e., they train people to become certified instructors that can teach SWC/DC workshops.

Certified trainers
Several DTL partners are very active in SWC/DC and are home to certified trainers (e.g., NLeSC, Surfsara, Erasmus MC, and UMC Utrecht). NLeSC, the DTL Learning programme, and ELIXIR-NL Training have joined forces to align the Dutch SWC/DC initiatives and to make sure they are aligned with the European SWC/DC activities.

Examples of activities
The list below contains some examples of past DTL/ELIXIR-NL activities related to SWC/DC. Please consult the news archive for a more complete overview and subscribe to the DTL newsletter to stay informed.

  • ELIXIR-NL was involved in the Pilot action, which aimed to train researchers in IT skills and introduce SWC/DC workshops across the ELIXIR nodes. Read more.
  • In 2017, DTL/ELIXIR-NL, the Netherlands eScience Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and SURFsara organised one of the first Data Carpentry Genomics workshops in Europe. Read more.
  • In 2016, the first edition of the SURFacademy workshop ‘Essential skills in data-intensive research’ took place. It was collaborative effort of the Netherlands eScience Center, SURFsara, DTL, VU University Amsterdam, and the Software and Data Carpentry foundation. Read more.
  • In 2015, UMC Utrecht (Philip Lijnzaad) hosted two SWC/DC events (a hackathon and a workshop) in the context of an ELIXIR Pilot. You can find a report about these events here.

People involved in SWC/DC in the Netherlands

  • Mateusz Kuzak (NLeSc, DTL)
  • Jan Bot (Surfsara)
  • Philip Lijnzaad (UMCU)
  • Anita Schuerch (UMCU)