Welcome to the group… work at the intersection of computing and the humanities. We tackle difficult technical problems with real cultural impact.

(Note: This guide covers your onboarding specifically into the RSE group. It does not replace broader institutional onboarding, such as HR, payroll, or general university IT setup.)

Who's Who & Quick Contacts

• Access & Accounts: Ask [Name] for GitHub, the central project management tool, and Slack invites.
• Hardware/Admin: Ask [Name] if you need local admin rights or specific hardware.
• Project Guidance: Ask your assigned buddy or the PI for domain-specific context.

Onboarding Timeline

• Days 1-2 (Setup): Gain access to core systems. Ensure your local development environment is configured. Retrieve any necessary credentials via the team password manager. If a centralised manager is unavailable, use a secure, one-time self-destructing link (e.g., Bitwarden Send or One-Time Secret) to share credentials. Avoid sending secrets in plain text over Slack or email.
• Days 3-5 (The Toy Task): Complete a scoped task to learn our practices without needing deep domain knowledge. You will be assigned one of the following:
  • Option A: Extract a data transformation script into a reusable module, adding docstrings and a README.
  • Option B: Fix a simple existing bug or complete a small open task from the backlog.
  • Goal: Complete the task and open a Pull Request for peer review.
• Weeks 2-4 (Core Work): Explore the main repositories, run the software locally, and pull your first real task from the Kanban board.

Environment & Culture

• Be open about challenges, blockers, and mistakes. Early communication saves time.
• Take ownership of your work while supporting others.
• Social activities are optional. We respect both collaboration and personal boundaries.

Communication & Responsiveness

• We communicate primarily via Slack.
• Acknowledge messages within 24 hours. You are not expected to complete tasks within 24 hours, only to confirm receipt.
• Maintain healthy working habits. If you will be unavailable, notify the team in advance.

Privacy & Publication

• All work is private by default.