About this episode
Guest
Yo Yehudi
Panelist
Richard Littauer
Show Notes
In this episode of Sustain, host Richard Littauer is joined by Yo Yehudi, Executive Director of Open Life Science (OLS), who discusses the importance of sustaining open source and scientific research. They cover topics such as the transition of OLS from a life sciences focus to all sciences, the importance of sharing scientific work openly, and strategies for building inclusive and sustainable communities within open source projects. Yo also touches on the challenges of funding and supporting volunteer-driven initiatives, their approach to managing volunteer contributions, and insights from their doctoral research on open source project sustainability. Hit download now to hear more!
[00:02:19] Yo describes OLS as an organization helping scientists to share their work globally, addressing the common issue of data loss when scientists leave academia without sharing their work.
[00:02:56] The conversation explores how OLS has expanded to include all sciences, not just life sciences, and even fields outside of traditional scientific disciplines.
[00:03:46] Yo critiques the traditional methods of scientific communication, highlighting the importance of sharing code and computational methods alongside traditional manuscripts.
[00:05:55] Richard and Yo discuss the inclusive definition of a scientist, emphasizing curiosity and rigor over formal educational credentials.
[00:07:28] There’s a discussion on OLS’s operational scope and strategic focus to prevent “scope creep,” emphasizing training, mentoring, and incubation projects.
[00:09:57] Yo details the team size and funding strategy of OLS, mentioning how they transitioned from a volunteer-based to a funded organization.
[00:00:00] Richard discusses the challenge of differentiating OLS for funding in a competitive space filled with similar organizations. Yo explains that OLS views similar organizations not as competitors but as potential collaborators, striving to differentiate by working together and clearly defining each other’s unique roles.
[00:16:20] There’s a discussion on volunteer contributions and avoiding exploitation.
[00:17:49] Richard and Yo discuss the challenges of altering the mindset around volunteer compensation and ensuring that project contributions are recognized and supported financially. Yo explains how OLS had adapted its approach to offering support, ensuring it meets diverse needs efficiently.
[00:20:44] The conversation shifts to how OLS assists open source practitioners in publishing their work and code effectively, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and thoughtful sharing practices.
[00:22:34] Yo highlights changes in OLS’s teachings, particularly focusing on equity and the experience of marginalized individuals in open source communities and talks about open access publishing.
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