Open Technology Impact in Uncertain Times

  • 18-19 November 2025
  • FGV Law Rio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

OpenForum Academy Symposium 2025

This global, multidisciplinary research symposium brings academics and practitioners together to advance understanding of the role of Open Source and other Open Technologies in the modern world and produces policy-relevant research that helps decision-makers drive impact.

The CfP of the Symposium is now open until 1 June 2025

Content Partners

Academic Partners

About the Symposium

In an era defined by geopolitical shifts, economic instability, and rapid technological evolution, open technologies play a crucial role in shaping a more transparent, resilient, and equitable digital future. The OFA Symposium 2025, themed ‘Open Technology Impact in Uncertain Times’, will bring together leading academic researchers and practitioners – including policymakers, industry experts, and civil society – to explore the tangible impact of open technology in navigating complex geopolitical uncertainties.

Through expert panels, case studies, and collaborative discussions, the OFA Symposium 2025 will consider the transformative potential of openness in a world where certainty is no longer guaranteed. It will ask (and offer some answers to) questions like: What is the economic impact of open source software and other open technologies? How do open source software, open standards, and open data contribute to digital sovereignty, sustainability, and innovation? What challenges arise in sustaining and securing open technologies? And how can we understand the role of open source AI in upending the geopolitical landscape?

To join the Symposium as a speaker, participants need only submit an abstract for consideration of the Programme Committee. Should a paper be accepted, participants will need to submit a full paper, summary, or abstract summary (depending on the submission type, see Paper Categories and Timeline for more details and dates).

For more on last year’s edition of the Symposium, visit the
archived website for the 2024 Symposium.

What is Open Technology Impact Research?

Despite the success of our previous Symposiums, there is not enough research on the broader societal and economic significance and impact of Open Source and Open Technologies. This is research where Open Source and Open Technologies themselves are NOT the primary focus of the study, and where the main subject of the research is their impact on society and stakeholders – users, vendors, governments, markets, etc – on society and the economy as the subject of study. In this sense, society itself is the subject of study. We link this area being under-researched with how Open Source and Open Technologies remain under-appreciated and overlooked, especially when compared to other aspects of digital society.

This is why we need to build a strong and supportive research community that can bring together this impact research on Open Source and Open Technologies and share it for the benefit of all. This year’s edition of the Symposium will place front and centre the consideration of impact, as well as make announcements related to the future of the Open Forum Academy. While the Symposium welcomes research of all types, we hope much of the research presented – and the manner of its positioning or framing – will help us to advance understand of the impact of Open Source and Open Technologies on society and the economy.

Participants are welcome to submit papers or presentations across four key themes. Participants are welcome to submit a paper or presentation that does not fall into one of these broad themes or sub-themes, but it may not be prioritised for inclusion in the final programme.

Participants need only submit an abstract for consideration of the Programme Committee. Should a paper be accepted, participants will need to submit a full paper, summary, or abstract summary (depending on the submission type, see Paper Categories for more details).

Track #1

Economic Impact of Open

Open technologies drive innovation, lower costs, and create new economic opportunities, but how do we measure their true impact? This track will explore the special role of open source software and other open source solutions in fostering competitive markets, digital sovereignty, and economic resilience. Discussions will address investment in open ecosystems, business models for sustainability, and the broader macroeconomic effects of openness.

  • Economic Impact of Open Source
  • Open Technologies and Innovation
  • Open Technology and Entrepreneurship
  • Open Source and Supply Chains
  • Industrial Adoption of Open Source

Track #2

Open Technologies and Geopolitics

As technology becomes a central factor in global power dynamics, openness is both an asset and a challenge. This track will examine the role of open standards, open source, open data, open hardware, and digital commons in shaping geopolitical strategies, trade policies, and technological sovereignty. Experts will discuss how governments and organizations navigate tensions between openness, competition, and national security.

  • Political and Social Impacts
  • Open Technology and Digital Sovereignty
  • Global Governance of Open Source
  • Governments and Open Technology
  • Copyright and Trade Disputes

Track #3

Sustainability and Security

Open technology is often seen as a pathway to sustainability and security, but can it effectively address global challenges in these domains? This track will explore how open solutions contribute to environmental sustainability, supply chain resilience, and cybersecurity. Conversations will focus on balancing transparency with security, ensuring long-term viability, and addressing risks in open ecosystems.

  • Maintaining Open Source
  • Open Source Cybersecurity
  • Sustaining Open Technologies as Digital Commons
  • Open Technologies as Infrastructure
  • Open Hardware and Chips

Track #4

Open Source and AI

Artificial Intelligence is transforming industries, and open source code, weights, and data are at the heart of its development. But as AI scales, questions around ethics, accountability, and governance become more pressing, especially as debates swirl around the definition of open source AI. This track will explore the intersection of open source and AI, examining opportunities for collaboration, regulatory challenges, and the role of openness in ensuring responsible and trustworthy AI innovation.

  • Open Data and Open Weights
  • Value/Economics of Open Source and AI
  • Global Governance of AI

The conference welcomes paper submissions in three categories: Research, Ongoing Research, and Topical Presentation. Each paper category is described in more detail below, including recommended sections and structure. Programme Committee Chairs can downgrade a paper after the review process if it is found that the paper does not fit the category chosen by the author(s) during submission.

The conference welcomes paper submissions in three categories: Research, Ongoing Research, and Topical Presentation. Each paper category is described in more detail below, including recommended sections and structure. Programme Committee Chairs can downgrade a paper after the review process if it is found that the paper does not fit the category chosen by the author(s) during submission.

  • Paper Presentation: 20 minutes + 10 mins Q&A (Ideally suited for completed academic reports and papers)
  • Presentation of Ongoing Research: 10 minutes + 5 minutes Q&A (Ideally suited for ongoing research and initiatives, presented in a novel or interactive way
  • Topical Presentation: 10 minutes + 5 minutes Q&A (Ideally suited for focused presentations on relevant ideas and concepts that are not part of ongoing research efforts)

Participants need only submit an abstract for consideration of the Programme Committee. Should a paper be accepted, participants will need to submit a full paper, summary, or abstract summary (see Timeline for dates).

These are papers that document complete research in one or more aspects of Open Source and Open Technologies. Research papers must, in some way, address topics listed in Tracks 1-4 and 11 and should follow standard formats for academic research papers. There is no page limit for the papers, though they should be submitted with an abstract.

 

Pages: No length requirements
Main Thematic Tracks: Yes
Side Tracks: No

These are short summary papers that describe ongoing research work that is yet to be completed, in one or more aspects of Open Source and Open Technologies, with proven or potential capability to advance the state of research in the field. Ongoing research papers could take various forms: for example, they can be theoretical (presenting promising frameworks), empirical (with some preliminary results), or present a design of novel and useful concepts and/or artefacts (no testing required). Ongoing research papers must address topics listed in Tracks 1-4 and be 6-10 pages in length.

 

Pages: 6-10 page summary
Main Thematic Tracks: Yes
Side Tracks: No

These are presentations mostly composed of work in progress, recent developments or presentations of new ideas and initiatives with the potential to contribute to Open Source or Open Technologies research and practice by addressing topics listed in the Tracks 1-4. Short presentations should provide a summary as part of the Call for Proposals and provide a detailed 2-4 page abstract or summary for inclusion in the final programme.

 

Pages: 2-4 page abstract or summary
Main Thematic Tracks: Yes
Side Tracks: Yes

  • 2 April 2025: Release of the Call for Proposals
  • 1June 2025: Closing deadline of the Call for Proposals
  • June 2025: Review of proposals by the Programme Committee
  • By 25 July 2025: Program finalization and speaker notification
  • By End of June: Program announcement
  • 12 October: Deadline for submission of completed paper, summary, or abstract/summary (pending acceptance)
  • 18-19 November 2025: OFA Symposium 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Renata Ávila

CEO at Open Knowledge Foundation

Knut Blind

Professor for Innovation Economics at TU Berlin

Yasodara Córdova

Independent Researcher

Rahul Dé

Professor of Information Systems at IIM Bangalore

Brian Fitzgerald

Principal Investigator at Lero – the Irish Software Research

Shikoh Gitau

CEO at Qhala and Board Director at The Tech Interactive

Katharina Meyer

Director of Digital Infrastructure Insights Fund

Sachiko Muto

Senior Researcher at RISE Research Institutes of Sweden

Frank Nagle

Assistant Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School

Liv Marte Nordhaug

CEO at Digital Public Goods Alliance Secretariat

Tarunima Prabhakar

Co-Founder, Research Lead at Tattle Civic Technologies and Associate Research Fellow at the Center of Responsible AI at IIT Madras

Dirk Riehle

Professor of Computer Science at University of Erlangen

Paul Sharratt

Policy and Research Manager at the Sovereign Tech Agency

Emmy Tsang

Director of Finance and Operations at Invest in Open Infrastructure

Nick Vidal

Community Manager at the Open Source Initiative

Nicolo Zingales

Professor at FGV Law School

Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) was created in 1944 and is the most important private academic institution in Brazil. Ranked as the number 1 Think Tank in Latin America and 3rd in the world according to UPenn rankings, FGV is focused on the development of excellence in a number
of strategic domains.

FGV Rio Law was founded in 2002 in response to market demand for professionals who are able to think of law in more practical and interdisciplinary terms. Although relatively new, the school is already ranked among the most important law schools in Brazil and #1 in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Its vibrant and diverse student body, consisting of over 500 students, reflects a commitment to fostering a dynamic learning environment. Each year, the school welcomes over 40 exchange students who enrich its community with global perspectives. Exchange students have the opportunity to engage in a variety of extracurricular activities through more than 20 active student associations, ensuring a well-rounded and engaging academic experience.

Finally, FGV Rio Law is located in the captivating city of Rio de Janeiro, renowned for its enchanting blend of landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. The city’s warm tropical climate offers year-round sunshine and inviting temperatures, making it an ideal destination for visitors seeking sun-soaked adventures. This unique setting continually captivates and inspires students, researchers, professionals, and travellers from around the globe, adding an extra layer of allure to the academic journey at FGV Rio Law.


Call for Papers

How do I access the submission website?

The Call for Papers for the OFA Symposium 2025 is currently open. You can access the submission portal through the link on our website’s main page or directly here.

When does the Call for Papers end?

The deadline for submitting your proposal is June 1, 2025 at 23:59 Brazil local time.

What types of papers/presentations can I submit?

The conference welcomes submissions in three categories:

  • Research Papers: Complete research in aspects of Open Source and Open Technologies
  • Presentation of Ongoing Research: Short summary papers describing ongoing research
  • Topical Presentations: Presentations of work in progress, recent developments, or new ideas
What topics are covered at the Symposium?

The Symposium focuses on four main tracks. While proposals from outside of these tracks may be accepted, the plan is to organise paper submissions around a few major submission tracks, though a few side tracks may be planned around specific topics.

The four main submission tracks for the event are as follows. More information can be found here.

  • Economic Impact of Open
  • Open Technologies and Geopolitics
  • Sustainability and Security
  • Open Source and AI
What are the requirements for each submission type?

The requirements for each submission type are as follows.

  • Research Papers: No page limit, abstract of 300 words maximum
  • Presentation of Ongoing Research: 6-10 page summary, abstract of 300 words maximum
  • Topical Presentations: 2-4 page abstract or summary, 300 words maximum for initial submission

Note that you need only submit the abstract for review, while the full paper/summary/abstract will need to be submitted by 12 October if your talk is accepted.

How long will my presentation be?

Presentation lengths are as follows:

  • Paper Presentation: 20 minutes + 10 minutes Q&A
  • Presentation of Ongoing Research: 15 minutes + 5 minutes Q&A
  • Topical Presentation: 15 minutes + 5 minutes Q&A
Can I submit in languages other than English?

While proposals in English will be prioritised, we will also consider submissions in Portuguese. Portuguese submissions may be programmed as part of a side-track if there are enough high-quality proposals. We aim to offer live translation into Portuguese, but it is an international conference.

Can I add co-presenters or co-authors to my submission?

Yes, you can add up to three co-presenters and co-authors to your submission. Please ensure you include their information when submitting your proposal through the submission platform.

What are the key dates I should be aware of?

The main deadlines for the event are as follows:

  • 2 April 2025: Release of the Call for Proposals
  • 1 June 2025: Closing deadline of the Call for Proposals
  • June 2025: Review of proposals by the Programme Committee
  • By 25 July 2025: Program finalisation and speaker notification
  • By End of June: Program announcement
  • 12 October: Deadline for submission of completed paper, summary, or abstract/summary (pending acceptance)
  • 18-19 November 2025: OFA Symposium 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Will I be asked to submit anything else?

We generally will reach out to speakers to submit the presentation for their talk. This can be done up until a few days before the event.


Papers

Are there any submission requirements for papers, summaries, or presentations?

No! We only ask that the papers be content complete and legible, with standard font and margin sizes. We leave to your discretion how you would like to format your paper, though please be aware that it might be shared publicly if you choose that option when submitting. Presentations can be formatted as you choose.

Is it possible to share my paper publicly or submit it to a journal?

All reports, summaries, and presentations from the conference will optionally be made available via a dedicated Zenodo community. For more information on Zenodo, check out their website. We also recommend submitting pre-prints of your paper, even if they will later be published in journals or specific locations, to ArXiv.org, an open-access archive and free distribution service which houses nearly 2.4 million scholarly articles.

We are exploring options to produce a special-edition journal for the OFA Symposium 2025, but cannot guarantee anything just yet. For more information, check back here in a few weeks or reach out to nicholas@openforumeurope.org.


Travel and Accommodation

Do I need a visa to travel to Brazil?

Visa requirements for Brazil vary depending on your nationality. We recommend checking with the Brazilian embassy or consulate in your country well in advance of your travel dates. For reference, we recommend checking the visa requirements by country on the Brazilian federal website.

Note that visa requirements can change regularly and we recommend keeping on top of these updates in the lead-up to the event. (For example, for those travelling from the U.S. and Canada they have just changed and will require a short application for a visitor visa. More details here.)

Is there financial support available for travel?

Those individuals who are submitting talks or papers can request travel support during their submissions. We aim to support a number of speakers to travel to the event and will make all final decisions on a case-by-case basis, depending on budget and in accordance with the situation of each individual.

Are there security considerations when visiting Rio de Janeiro as an international visitor?

Like many major cities, Rio de Janeiro has areas that are safer than others. FGV Law School is located in a well-monitored area. We recommend taking standard travel precautions such as being aware of your surroundings, not displaying valuable items openly, and using official taxis or ride-sharing services.


Venue Information

Where exactly is the venue located?

The OFA Symposium 2025 will be held at FGV Rio Law School in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The full address is: Luiz Simões Lopes – 13º Andar, Campus Botafogo, Praia de Botafogo, 190 – Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22250-900, Brazil.

Will Wi-Fi be available at the venue?

Yes, complimentary Wi-Fi will be available for all participants throughout the venue.

Will food and beverages be provided?

Yes, food and beverages will be provided. Light refreshements and snacks will be provided for breakfast, and lunch will be fully catered. A social event will be organised on the first evening of the conference, with more details to come.


Registration

How do I register for the Symposium?

Registration for the OFA Symposium 2025 is open and will remain open until 17 November 2025. You can register through our website at https://symposium.openforumeurope.org/#register.

What are the registration fees?

Our conference is made entirely free through the generous donations of our partners and sponsors.

Will I receive a confirmation for my registration?

Yes, you will automatically receive a confirmation upon completing your registration. If you require a specific format for your confirmation or need additional information included, please contact events@openforumeurope.org. In the lead-up to the event, you will be requested to confirm your attendance As the event is free of charge, this allows us to manage capacity effectively and ensure that any available spots can be offered to others on the waiting list in case we run out of seats.


Additional Information

Who can I contact if I have questions not answered here?

For any additional questions, please contact the organising committee at events@openforumeurope.org. You can also reach out to the lead organiser for the event, Nicholas Gates, at nicholas@openforumeurope.org.

Will there be opportunities for networking?

Yes, the Symposium program includes dedicated time for networking. [Insert information about any specific networking events, receptions, etc.]

Is there a code of conduct for the event?

This event abides by the same standards as OpenForum Europe’s Community Participation Guidelines. You can find more information on the guidelines here.

How can I stay updated about the Symposium?

You can sign up for our newsletter on the event website (at the bottom) to receive updates about the Symposium, including program announcements, speaker highlights, and other important information. Do also stay tuned to our social media channels.

Registration form

Registration form

Registration form

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