You may be aware that the BEAR team runs Software Carpentry courses on Python, Git, MATLAB and R with the assistance of a number of trained instructors from across the university. We would like to encourage more people to get involved as both trainers and course helpers.
Carpentry Instructors
Do you have experience of R, Python, Git, or MATLAB and would you like to help others by becoming a Carpentries trainer? We currently have funded places available to become an accredited trainer and are particularly interested in those who can teach R, to meet demand for courses. You may want to gain teaching experience, and this is definitely a good addition to the CV! In return for being trained, we will expect you to deliver up to 3 training courses per year.
Carpentry Helpers
Alternatively, if you have an interest and some experience in using R, Python, Git, or MATLAB you could get involved as a Carpentry helper. You would need enough experience in the software to show someone else how to do simple tasks from instructions provided. Courses run over half-day sessions, some online and some in-person. We typically have a different helper for each session, so the time commitment isn’t too great. It will give you experience of training and looks good on the CV!
Further Information
More information about Carpentries can be found here: https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/bear-carpentries and you can read about how being a Carpentries trainer benefitted Nezha here: https://blog.bham.ac.uk/bear/2022/09/12/using-bear-to-build-a-database-of-global-forest-disturbance-data/
If you are interested in becoming either a Carpentries trainer or helper, please contact Debbie Carter (d.j.carter@bham.ac.uk).