In this blog post, Michael Meagher, Project Manager on the ‘Managing Open Source Software in Irish Universities’ (MOSS-I) project led by Lero’s Dr Patrick Healy (University of Limerick) summarises a recent public event.
On March 20th, we gathered at the University of Galway for a dual-purpose gathering. This event served as a part of our MOSS-I project external feedback review and focused on a public event titled “Open Source for Innovation in Universities.” Co-hosted by Lero and the Open Ireland Network, the event brought together leaders from academia and the technology industry to explore the integration of open source and open science. We were privileged to be joined by so many esteemed speakers who provided insights on global trends, the critical role of open source in research, and its impact on academic-industry collaborations.
Some of our speakers highlighted the following points:
Clare Dillon, University of Galway and Co-founder of the Open Ireland Network: Clare highlighted the current state and prospects of open source in her session “Overview of Open Source Global Trends.” Her role uniquely positions her to discuss the impact of open source on digital landscapes.
Pen-Yuan Hsing, University of Bristol and Co-Advisor for NASA’s Transform to Open Science (TOPS) mission. In “The Critical Role of Open Source in Open Research,” Pen-Yuan advocated for open science, demonstrating how open source is revolutionising fields like environmental science. His role for NASA and insights into the Turing way highlighted the transformative power of open research.
Daniel Izquierdo Cortázar, CEO and Co-founder of Bitergia and President of InnerSource Commons Foundation. Daniel’s presentation on “Measuring Open Source in Universities” shed light on the integral role of open source in fostering research innovation, enhancing our understanding of how open source metrics can bolster academic pursuits.
Tobias Gabriel, Senior Developer at the SAP Open Source Program Office (OSPO): Tobias discussed “The Global Impact of OSS on Industry Collaborations.” His insights provided a model for effective industry-academia partnerships through open source practices.
We rounded off the event with panel discussions and open questions from attendees, facilitating a dynamic exchange of ideas and fostering deeper engagement on pressing topics in open source and open science.
For those of you who wish you view the talks, they are available on the Open Ireland Network YouTube Channel.
External Feedback Session for the MOSS-I Project
In a private segment following the public event, we received external feedback on the MOSS-I project from guests including Danese Cooper, former Head of Open Source at PayPal and founder of the InnerSource Commons Foundation along with all the speakers from the main event. The session focused on refining our approach to creating a policy framework for the use of open source practices within academic settings, drawing on insights from global open source leaders. Their insight as global leaders in this space were invaluable.
Key Outputs and Highlights of the External Feedback Session
The feedback session was pivotal in shaping the future direction of the MOSS-I project. Key points included:
- The necessity of aligning open source initiatives with universities mission and vision/ goals to maximise impact on research and education.
- Recommendations on how to enhance ongoing community engagement and governance structures to sustain open source projects and learnings.
- The importance of continuous adaptation and review of open source policies to keep pace with technological advancements.
Conclusion
The event at the University of Galway was a wonderful occasion, marking a significant step forward in the integration of open source into academic policy frameworks. The discussions and external feedback provided valuable insights that will guide future initiatives, ensuring that open source and open science continues to be to the forefront of innovation in both education and research.
As we move forward, the insights gained from this event will be instrumental in refining our strategies and enhance collaboration between academia and the technology industry. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to advance the MOSS-I project and seek wider input from the broader Irish academic community.
