Task Management for Humans


  • Introducing people who work in research software to a range of tools and frameworks designed to help with task management, not to improve productivity but as a form of self care.
  • Give examples of how these tools can be used in the context of working as a software engineer in academia.
  • Present case studies showing how people have adopted elements of these frameworks into their working life and how/whether it has improved their mental health at work.

Mental health challenges specific to RSEs


  • RSEs face a number of specific challenges, which can impact their mental health.
  • These negative feelings are common and shared by many RSEs, and are the result of structural, rather than personal, issues.
  • Emergency support is available from the Samaritans at: 116-123 or via email:

Where tasks come from, identifying and managing them


  • “Digital can be infinite”
  • “You have limits”
  • “Managing your work is also work”

Tools for task management


  • There are three broad types of task management tools: project management, second brain, and to-do lists
  • The tools we presented here are just a small sample of the vast choice of tools. Choose whatever works for you!
  • The tool you chose doesn’t matter as much as committing to whatever tool or system works for you

Techniques - Inbox Zero