Meetup Resources

Episode 5: Testing Research Code

20 February 2025 @ 8:30 - 10:00 am UTC (your local time)

Have you ever written tests for your research code?

In this month’s episode we’ll explore why research code should include tests, what the purpose of tests are, different types of tests and how to design them, where to start with testing and finally how to automate testing.

A useful open educational resource related to these topics are available from CodeRefinery.

Follow the CodeRefinery lesson on Testing Research Code

Our Speakers

Abhishek Dasgupta

Oxford Research Software Engineering group, University of Oxford

Senior Research Software Engineer

I am a Research Software Engineer with the University of Oxford RSE group, interested in software development productivity, best practices, and reproducibility of research software through training and outreach. I am particularly interested in improving code testing, and improving productivity through the use of type checkers, linters and through deeper knowledge of the ecosystem of tools that are available to improve research software. Prior to my current role as a research software engineer, I did my DPhil in Computer Science, before moving to a postdoctoral position in the Department of Politics and International Relations at Oxford.

Saranjeet Kaur Bhogal

Imperial College London

Research Software Engineer

Saranjeet Kaur Bhogal is a Research Software Engineer at Imperial College London. In 2023, she was selected an International Fellow of the Software Sustainability Institute. Her academic background includes an MPhil in Statistics. Throughout her career, she has been involved with various software engineering communities. In 2021, she participated in the Open Life Science program, where she co-founded the Research Software Engineering (RSE) Asia Association. She has represented the RSE Asia community at events in Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the UK.

Sheena O'Connell

Prelude

Founder

I’m a software engineer and technical leader who has spent the last 5+ years reimagining how we teach coding. I’ve built alternative education systems, focusing on effective teaching practices and organizational structures. I founded the Guild of Educators to support tech educators and recently founded Prelude, offering technical training and consulting for educators and organizations. I’m active in the global Python and Django communities, organizing events like PyCon Africa and DjangoCon Africa. I’m a Django Software Foundation member and the co-chair of the Python Software Foundation’s Education and Outreach workgroup.