Last week, the picturesque city of Maastricht played host to the satellite event of the Open Science Festival—an unconference that brought together over 100 open science enthusiasts and professionals. Held in a venue steeped in history, with plenary sessions in an awe-inspiring aula that once served as a church, the day radiated excitement, blending tradition with the forward-looking spirit of open science.
The event started with a lively voting session, where participants pitched topics on the spot, with ideas ranging from citizen science initiatives to the integration of generative AI in research. Attendees cast their votes for the pitches that resonated with them, a total of 24 sessions were held throughout the day. Each session leader, or “chair,” was then given a dedicated classroom, where they guided deep dives into their chosen topic, sparking discussions and collecting fresh perspectives.
Here’s a glimpse at the session topics:
- Using generative AI for research summaries
- Designing an open access game called ‘Legacy’
- Bridging the gap between researchers and data professionals
- Citizen science
- How to get institutional support
- Creating a knowledge base for the open science communities (OSCs)
The aim of these session is for the community to continue to work on these projects. Participation after the Barcamp is also open for people that did not attend the Barcamp. You can explore all sessions in this Etherpad (Open Source alternative for Google Docs).
This diverse lineup of sessions allowed participants to explore new ideas and challenges in open science, each conversation contributing to our collective efforts.
The unconference format was perfectly suited to foster collaboration, allowing attendees to build on each other’s ideas, challenge assumptions, and propose novel solutions. This free-flowing structure allowed every participant to feel not just included but integral to the day’s outcome, giving rise to new collaborations and projects that extended well beyond the walls of the conference rooms.
As the day wound down, everyone gathered in the main hall for well-deserved pizza, where conversations continued to flow, and connections were solidified. This informal closing was a fitting end to a day rooted in spontaneity, creativity, and shared passion.
The barcamp proved that moving open science forward isn’t just about technology or tools—it’s about people coming together, sharing visions, and building a community committed to a future where knowledge is open and accessible to all. So be on the lookout and be sure to join next year’s barcamp!