CSC Scientific Computing Ambassadors strengthening collaboration
The CSC Scientific Computing Ambassador Program aims to strengthen the connection of universities, universities of applied science, and state research institutes – both with each other and with CSC. Acting as local points of contact, ambassadors lower the threshold for seeking support and provide feedback to improve CSC’s services and training.
What is the CSC Scientific Ambassador Program?
The program aims to build a network of scientific computing ambassadors who act as a bridge between researcher/student colleagues at their home institute and CSC specialists. With the network, they can be of help to their colleagues in navigating and utilizing CSC’s tools and services for research and making it easier to ask questions and get support.
Ambassadors benefit from direct access to CSC experts, early updates on new services, and opportunities to give feedback and this way shape future services and training.
CSC’s Scientific Computing unit initiated the Ambassador Program as a result of recognizing the need for closer contact and lower barriers in CSC’s customer surveys. Finnish research field is wide, heterogenous and fluctuating, as researchers move from one institute to other, and CSC needs to ensure effective outreach and support. Lightweight and organic network with a good backbone structure on CSC’s end was identified as the best approach.
Who can be an ambassador?
Ambassadors can be, for example, researchers active in scientific computing, computational research support staff, teachers using CSC materials and/or services in their courses, or research software engineers. Ideal ambassador is someone with a good understanding of researchers’ needs, some computational skills and an interest in supporting colleagues to succeed with scientific computing.
Kick-off meeting with an active pilot group
The Ambassador Program was started with a pilot group of 30 potential ambassadors at a a kick-off meeting in December 2024 at CSC headquarters in Espoo.
CSC specialists presented key service development topics, followed by discussions on common challenges and needs and brainstorming solutions. Participants provided valuable insight – huge thanks to them for their engagement! To conclude, a survey was sent to gather feedback on shaping the program.
Building the ambassador network
Based on survey responses and the discussions with the kick-off group, CSC is now creating communication channels for the ambassador network. Interaction will take place primarily via a two-way open email list, weekly CSC Research Support Coffee meetings, and bi-annual Ambassador meetings. At CSC, we are also looking at ways to efficiently manage and act on the feedback and ideas coming from the ambassadors.
Learn more about the Ambassador Program
We are excited to roll out the program in 2025 and strengthen connections with the users of CSC’s research services via our ambassadors.
- Join the online CSC Research Support Coffee session on Wednesday 26 February at 14:00, where the program will be introduced in a short talk.
- The next bi-annual Ambassador meeting will be held online on Wednesday 28 May 2025.
If you are interested in helping your fellow researchers and being in contact with CSC specialists, please join the ambassador program!
For more information and any questions, don’t hesitate to contact: scicomp-ambassadors-org(at)postit.csc.fi
Maria Lehtivaara
Maria Lehtivaara works in support and training for our bioscience customers.
Samantha Wittke
Samantha Wittke works in customer training development and outreach.