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Dear Readers,
As we approach August, there are three things you can do to support OpenUK.
If you are based in the UK, take our survey, giving us 20 minutes of your time. The information you share enables critical data analysis about open source in the UK and updating our economic calculations of the value of open source in the UK.
If you are in the UK, sign up to The Open Manifesto as an individual, organisation or both to support our 3 asks of the new government: open source skills, enabling the public sector to do open source better and AI openness. We will be presenting this Manifesto to the PM after the summer. Get your organisation to add their logo and ask friends and colleagues to do the same. The more support this has the stronger open source could be in the new government’s agenda.
Finally, whether you are in the UK or not, you can support us by sharing both of the above and by nominating folk in the OpenUK Awards. Nominate individuals, projects and organisations based in the UK or with a strong UK presence for one or more of 12 Awards. OpenUK’s Awards are in their 5th year and widely recognised as the Oscars of open source. Free to enter and the shortlisted nominees are invited as guests to the Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner at the House of Lords.
State of Open: The UK in 2024 Survey
Our Annual Survey is open until 8th September and we would be grateful if you are UK-based if you would please complete the survey. The more you can complete the better. This is the 4th year we have conducted our survey and each year we build more of a picture of the UK, detail that no other country in the world has about its usage of open source. The data is critical data in our economic analysis of the UK and open source. Please spare 20 minutes and take the survey, your data will make a difference and be included in Phase Three of our reporting in September.
The Open Manifesto
If you are in the UK sign-up personally or add your organisation’s support and logo to The Open Manifesto – have your voice heard and support OpenUK’s work with our new government. Please also share it with your friends and colleagues. Share with friends and colleagues in the UK who might like to sign.
State of Open: The UK in 2024 Phase Two: The Open Manifesto Report Launch
July 3, 12:00 – 19:00, Great Hall, King’s College London
OpenUK’s latest report explores the ‘3 asks’ in The Open Manifesto. Please take time to read the Report and watch the videos from our Launch Event.
Read Report and Watch Launch Event Videos
OpenUK Awards 2024, 5th Edition
Nominate now – celebrate UK Leadership and Global Collaboration in Open Technology, for a 5th year. Nominate yourself or someone else, free to enter:
- Nominations in 12 categories close midnight UK September 8th, 2024
- Shortlist of up to 3 nominees per category announced early October 2024
- Winners Announced and receive winners trophy at November 28th, 2024 at Black Tie Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner at the House of Lords, sponsored by Lord Wei
Fellows Network
Know an academic who is postgrad level and would be interested in taking part in a Fellows Network promoting research into open tech? We are looking for up to 10 Fellows in the UK and up to 2 international academics to join our Fellows Network. Applications are now open and will run to September. Applications will be judged by CEO, Amanda Brock, Board Director and Rust Foundation ED, Dr Rebecca Rumbul, Open UK’s Research Director Dr Jennifer Barth and Southampton University Associate Professor Dr Rebecca Taylor.
OpenUK London Meet-up Save the date!
OpenUK London #17: Open DataTuesday, September 17, 2024 |
OpenUK in the Press
The Guardian reports ‘Open government can rebuild trust’Guardian publishes open letter to PM signed by OpenUK saying that open government can build trust, support reforms and drive efficiency. |
Computing reports ‘King’s Speech promises regulation of ‘the most powerful AI technologies”Amanda Brock, CEO of OpenUK welcomed the focus on the largest AI models in Computing. |
ITBrief reports ‘California judge partially dismisses claims against Microsoft & OpenAI’In light of last week’s US ruling on Copiloit, striking out copyright claims and reaffirming the contract claims, Amanda Brock, CEO of OpenUK, provided her insights into the potential broader implications of open-source software licensing to IT Brief. |
Amanda Brock’s opinion article in Computing asks ‘Will Starmer take Blair’s one piece of advice and focus on tech?’Amanda Brock’s opinion article in Computing asks ‘Will Starmer take Blair’s one piece of advice and focus on tech?’, advice that he repeated at the Tony Blair Institute Future of Britain event this week. |
The Register reports ‘SAP’s bid to woo open source community meets muted response’A second open source manifesto, this time from SAP is reported on in The Register and commented on by Percona founder Peter Zaitsev and our CEO Amanda Brock. |
Computing reports ‘OpenUK launches The Open Manifesto’Computing’s Penny Harwood shares a deep dive into OpenUK’s new report on the 3 asks of The Open Manifesto. |
Events of Interest
SUSE Cloud Native Meetup UK #2August 1, 2024 |
The KubeCon + Cloud NativeCon202421-23 August, Hong Kong Amanda Brock, CEO will be available for meetings during this event, and meeting with translators of the book she edited. |
We have a lot coming down the line for you in September including events at the Labour Party Conference, in Parliament and more new meet-ups across the UK.
We may even send you a postcard from our holidays in August, when OpenUK is closed for business.
Best wishes,
Amanda
Amanda Brock, CEO
For information on anything in this newsletter or to get involved, email us.
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