Reflections on FOSSY 2024: Building Stronger Open Source Communities in Education
I recently had the pleasure of attending the Free and Open Source Software Yearly (FOSSY) conference hosted by The Software Freedom Conservancy in Portland, Oregon. For anyone invested in open source software and committed to increasing its use and development, particularly within education (as I am), FOSSY was an inspiring reminder of the power of co-creation, the culture of innovation, and the possibilities of shared purpose.
FOSS for Education: Highlighting Open Source in Academia
FOSSY offers a variety of community-managed tracks and, again this year, Apereo was tapped to organize the "FOSS for Education" sessions, a dedicated space showcasing how open source software extends educational access and drives institutional progress. Over two days (Friday and Saturday) of the four-day event, speakers from around the globe delivered eleven sessions spanning various topics, all with a common theme centered around leveraging open source tools and practices to enhance educational opportunities.
Some particularly impactful presentations for me were:
- "An ideal education with Open Source, a Recent Grad's Perspective" by Onexi Medina, a recent graduate of Norfolk State University,
- "Open source training for reproducibility, collaboration, and community in academic research" from Alex Marden, who works in both the University of Texas at Austins' libraries and open source program office and
- from the Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Technology at the University of British Columbia, Rie Namba's "Leveraging open source software to incorporate open assignments in courses."
All of the education sessions were interesting and inspiring; however, the above three sessions highlight Apereo
and the Apereo community's specific role (and value) in higher education: open source software as an educational resource and open source tools to support academic and research activities.
The sessions were not just about sharing knowledge (yes, there were plenty of real-world experiences and visionary insights) but also about coming together around shared interests and values, which created connections. On a personal note, facilitating these sessions allowed me to witness firsthand the enthusiasm and engagement of attendees. It was clear that the work we do at Apereo resonates with a broader audience, and the conference provided an invaluable platform for expanding our reach within both the educational and open source communities.
Strengthening Apereo's Presence
In addition to the "FOSS for Education" track, Apereo hosted a booth at the conference alongside other prominent organizations such as AWS, Cisco, Google, Gnome, and JMP--providing an excellent opportunity to share the Foundation's work with industry leaders. This presence also offered opportunities to promote Apereo member projects, such as HAX the Web with D2L developers and Sakai with program managers with the United Nations Development Programme. Many attendees were keen to learn more about how our projects make a difference with and in educational institutions worldwide.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the conference was the opportunity to introduce our "Friends of Apereo" individual membership program and our Community Memberships. These initiatives are designed to bring individuals and organizations who share our commitment to advancing open source in education into our community. The positive reception to these programs at FOSSY reinforces the importance of our work and the growing interest in supporting open source solutions in academia.
Celebrating Open Source Contributions
The keynote presentation by Lance Albertson, Director of the Oregon State University Open Source Lab (OSUOSL), was a highlight of the conference. Lance's talk celebrated over 20 years of OSUOSL's contributions to the open source community as a technical service provider and a student lab that trains the next generation of developers. OSUOSL's support for Apereo, including hosting our website and contributing to our recent Drupal migration, and a host of other nonprofits is a testament to the power of collaboration in open source.
Several Apereo community members also joined the conference, presenting project updates and campus news. Stephanie Lieggi, our newly elected board director, presented on the University of California's OSPO network, showcasing the importance of coordinated efforts in promoting open source across multiple campuses. Chris Knapp from the Sakai Project delivered an insightful session on enhancing accessibility, while Shoji Kajita, another Apereo board director, shared developments on a nationwide research data management platform. Additionally, Bryan Ollendyke, maintainer of the HAX the Web project, captivated attendees with his session on revolutionizing web development.
Building a Stronger Community Together
FOSSY 2024 was more than just a conference; it was a reminder of why we do what we do at Apereo. The connections we made, the ideas we exchanged, and the stories we heard all contribute to a larger narrative—one where open source software plays a critical role in shaping the future of education.
As we look to the future, I encourage all those passionate about open source and education to consider joining our community. Whether through the Friends of Apereo program, our Community Memberships, or simply by participating in our programs, projects, and events (FOSSY'25 will be July 24th - 27th next year), there are countless ways to get involved.
Together--with our Friends of Apereo and Community Members--we will continue to champion open source software and initiatives created by and for educators worldwide. Apereo's pillars of support--"expertise," "stewardship," "advocacy," "empowerment," and "innovation"--enable the tools academia relies on and the communities that make them possible. Thank you to everyone who made FOSSY'24 an unforgettable experience, and thank you to all those who continue to work with us throughout the year.
I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together in the years to come.