Syllabus

The pilot version of the POSE Training Program is structured in two parts. First, there is a three-part workshop series on community and ecosystem-engagement, designed and hosted by CSCCE. This is followed by three mixed format webinars that will address additional topics including managing organizations, governance, and open-source development models.

You are also invited to attend an optional orientation session before the program begins. This is a great opportunity to meet your instructors and the other participants in the program, as well as ask any questions you may have about accessing course materials.

Week 0 | Orientation

In this optional 90-minute session we’ll introduce the training team and the external evaluator. We will also go over some key logistics, and answer any questions you might have about the program. You can also bring any questions you might have about access to the tools we’re using (Canvas, Slack, Zoom, and Google Drive). Please make every effort to attend as this will prepare you for the subsequent sessions.

Weeks 1 – 3 | An introduction to community engagement

These workshop-style sessions, designed and hosted by CSCCE staff will cover: defining community and why it is important to project sustainability; identifying who engages with your project and how; and how to support deeper member engagement by removing barriers to participation and supporting emergent leaders. POSE awardees will leave with practical next steps related to their own project. 

  • Week 1: Community and sustainability: Considering purpose, belonging, culture, and power
  • Week 2: Who is in your community, and how can you support their engagement? 
  • Week 3: Scaffolding and supporting member engagement 

Weeks 4 – 6

The second half of this pilot program will involve three interactive webinars featuring expert speakers. More information about these webinars will be available soon.

  • Week 4: If you build it, will they really come? This will be organized as a 20-30 min presentation, followed by Q&A and breakouts during which the PIs can discuss in smaller groups how to effectively assess opportunities for potential market impact of their open-source technologies, and the various types of validators whose input is critical to the long-term success of their project.
  • Week 5: Good governance. This will be organized as a 20-30 min presentation, followed by Q&A and breakouts during which the PIs can discuss in smaller groups different types of operating options, ownership models, and governance structures. From non-profits, university centers and partnerships to for-profit LLC’s and other alternatives.
  • Week 6: Key issues in building a distributed continuous integration and development model. This panel discussion will be moderated by Daniela Oliveira (NSF). Panelists: Anita Nikolich, Jim Herbsleb, Laurie Williams, and Luis Ceze. NSF Program Offices Peter Atherton and Nina Amla will also be available for an additional 30 minutes at the end of this webinar to answer participant questions.

After the program concludes

Awardees in the pilot cohort of the POSE Training Program are also the first members of a new community of practice for scientific open source practitioners. This online space, hosted in Slack, is an ongoing means of connection and peer learning.