Treffer: The Silent Scientist: When Software Research Fails to Reach Its Audience.

The relevance of software research depends on its resonance with diverse stakeholders, as what is impactful to one group may be irrelevant to another. Research spans technical advancements, such as automated bug fixing, and human-centered empirical studies, like understanding developer productivity, each with distinct methodologies and measures of impact. Assessing relevance requires considering different phases of the research process and the broader audience beyond immediate practitioners, as early or conceptual studies can inform education, experimentation, and subsequent application-oriented work. To achieve meaningful impact, researchers must complement publication with active science communication, engaging stakeholders through accessible channels and dialogue to ensure findings are understood, adopted, and useful.