# Sustainability in Research Software with Parsl > [! note]- > The content of this page is generated by audio/video transcription and text transformation from the content and links of this source. Source: [https://fosdem.org/2025/schedule/event/fosdem-2025-6244-research-software-sustainability-and-rses/](https://fosdem.org/2025/schedule/event/fosdem-2025-6244-research-software-sustainability-and-rses/) <video src="https://video.fosdem.org/2025/aw1126/fosdem-2025-6244-research-software-sustainability-and-rses.av1.webm" controls></video> ## Summary & Highlights: **Overview of Research Software Sustainability** This session delves into the challenges and strategies for sustaining research software projects post-initial funding. Using the Parsl project as a case study, the discussion highlights how these projects can transition from development to maintenance phases. Key to this transition is understanding the roles of different types of developers and the necessity of community engagement and governance. **Parsl Project and Its Sustainability Journey** Parsl, a parallel scripting library, serves as an example of how research software can be sustained over time. Initially funded by the NSF, Parsl has evolved through various phases, from initial development to its current focus on maintenance and community management. The project has faced challenges in aligning volunteer contributions with long-term sustainability needs, emphasizing the importance of structured processes and community roles. **The Role of Community and Governance** Community involvement is crucial for the sustainability of research software. The session discusses the roles of different community members, from developers to users, and the importance of clear processes for contributions and governance. The involvement of organizations like NUMFOCUS is highlighted as a means to enhance community growth and project governance. **Challenges and Lessons Learned** The session outlines the challenges faced in sustaining research software, such as reliance on volunteer contributions and the need for consistent funding. Lessons learned include the importance of clear documentation and process consistency, as well as the need for diverse developer roles to address different project phases. **Future Directions and Industry Involvement** Looking forward, the session explores potential industry involvement and the need for continued community engagement. While industry partnerships can provide additional resources, the session notes the difficulty in aligning industry interests with research software sustainability. The role of organizations like NUMFOCUS in facilitating industry connections is also discussed. ## Importance for an eco-social transformation Research software sustainability is crucial for eco-social transformation as it ensures that scientific tools remain available for addressing global challenges. Sustainable practices in software development support long-term collaboration and innovation in fields like climate science and public health. Eco-social designers can apply community-building strategies and governance models from projects like Parsl to their own initiatives. Challenges include securing consistent funding and aligning volunteer contributions with project needs. Addressing these requires a balance of technical, social, and political efforts, such as engaging diverse stakeholders and advocating for supportive policies. ## Links [Talk Slides](https://fosdem.org/2025/schedule/event/fosdem-2025-6244-research-software-sustainability-and-rses/slides) [Video Recording (AV1/WebM)](https://video.fosdem.org/2025/aw1126/fosdem-2025-6244-research-software-sustainability-and-rses.av1.webm) [Video Recording (MP4)](https://video.fosdem.org/2025/aw1126/fosdem-2025-6244-research-software-sustainability-and-rses.av1.mp4) [Video Recording Subtitle File (VTT)](https://video.fosdem.org/2025/aw1126/fosdem-2025-6244-research-software-sustainability-and-rses.vtt)