Move the Needle: Enhancing Engagement in the HPC Community
At the recent Sustainable Reality event at Bletchley Park, hosted by Alces Flight, Zara Birch, Engagement Officer at NI-HPC, discussed the invaluable contribution of community managers. Community managers act as connectors between users and organisations, facilitating relationships, supporting feedback, sharing information, and bridging the gap between technical development and user needs.
Why HPC Needs Community Managers
As HPC and AI continue to evolve, the need for skilled community managers has become increasingly evident. These professionals serve as a bridge, building relationships, nurturing advocates, and ensuring user feedback directly supports product improvement and organisational growth . By engaging users, community managers not only encourage collaboration but also drive customer retention, which in turn strengthens the community and bolsters development.
Sustainability in HPC is not only about energy efficiency. It’s about fostering a dynamic and inclusive community that welcomes fresh, diverse perspectives to solve the challenges of tomorrow.
Engagement Goals
One of the key questions raised is how we can effectively engage HPC system users. Zara outlined several objectives to build a thriving and sustainable community:
● Raise Awareness of HPC Resources: Boost knowledge about HPC resources among key stakeholders who stand to benefit.
● Expand the User Base: Encourage new users, particularly postgraduate researchers and a diverse range of disciplines to get involved with HPC.
● Encourage Collaboration: Create opportunities for users to work together and share knowledge to tackle complex issues.
● Promote Real World Case Studies: Showcase impactful applications of HPC to demonstrate its value and inspire fresh ideas.
The Challenges Facing Community Managers in HPC
Despite its growing importance, community management in HPC/AI faces notable challenges. One of the biggest hurdles is securing enough time and funding to carry out the role effectively, as many organisations still see it as a part-time or supplementary position. This constraint can mean that community managers are forced to prioritise only essential tasks, limiting the full impact they might have on user engagement and support and industry collaboration.
Building an Effective Strategy for Collaboration
Creating a sustainable community within HPC requires a well-planned strategy. Zara shared some practical and effective tactics to enhance community engagement:
1. Develop a Clear Communication Plan: Putting a human face to the organisation fosters a stronger connection with users. Regular updates through social media, newsletters, and events keep users informed and engaged with current research and projects.
2. Get to Know Your Community: Building relationships within the community and networking with others in similar roles can provide valuable insights, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage mutual support.
3. Join Community Networks: Groups like Women in HPC offer fantastic opportunities for networking, sharing expertise, and drawing inspiration from a wide range of voices within the industry.
To learn more about Zara’s talk, listen to the full presentation here.
As HPC and AI continue to develop, the role of the community manager will only grow in importance. They are essential for creating connections that propel technology forward. With the right support and resources, community managers can help foster an inclusive, collaborative culture within HPC.