Unit liaison

Summary

A unit liaison mains close connection with the various other units, presenting the work of ASC to them and often being the first line of starting a new project. They may be the Project planner of some of that unit’s projects, but they probably aren’t the only one doing that (and it isn’t necessarily the expectation).

For example, we may have unit liaisons to CS, NBE, PHYS, FCAI, ELLIS, IT Services, etc.

Main challenges/pitfalls

• It helps to have a pre-existing connection to the unit.

• It can be difficult to remember take the time to reach out when you have so many other things going on - it’s always a low priority, when you are already too busy with existing projects.

• It can be difficult to explain why we exist and why people should use our services (academics want to do things themselves).

• Remember to take the customer perspective. To us, they are “customers”, but they are just researchers with research problems. Don’t focus too much on the idea of “starting a project” or “project process”. Instead, focus on “what are your computing or research problems?”

• Customers expect you to have a broad knowledge of everything ASC does and this basic knowledge puts you on the right foot.

• All the typical things that are involved in being a customer relations person.

Expectations / checklists

• Be a first line of contact to the unit (which doesn’t necessarily mean you should be getting all the personal email from them, but you can grab their stuff from other issue trackers, advise others when you see their issues, etc.).

• Be broadly aware of what is going on in your unit.

• Be the voice of that unit to our team.

• Stay in touch with the coordinators/leaders of the unit and get invitations to important events.

• Where practical, go to the unit meetings and other events to represent the team.

• Run Group meetings for groups within the unit, or at least help arrange them and get others to come.

External materials

• Group meetings

• Aalto RSE for researchers 2025

Training program: materials and exercises

This is probably mentored and learned on-the-job.

Exercises

UnitLiaison-1: Give a ASC introduction

Roleplay giving a sample 3-5 minute pitch of ASC services to a department meeting. You get to pick the department.

UnitLiaison-2: Knock on someone’s door

Roleplay visiting an office of a group leader and talking about RSE services. (you can also imagine talking in a coffee room, to other group members, etc.)