GW Open Source Program Office

The OSPO coordinates and supports open-source software development across GW, helping researchers embrace open source tools and practices. It aims to create a culture of open collaboration and knowledge sharing aligned with GW’s research and educational mission. Activities include training programs, infrastructure and tools for open source development, events fostering community and collaboration, and developing partnerships with industry and government. The OSPO will enable researchers to comply with open data mandates, navigate intellectual property issues, and develop strategies for managing research software. It will also expand educational offerings to give students hands-on open source development experience. Its overarching mission is to make open source an integral part of GW’s research and education ecosystem. The GW OSPO was founded in 2023 thanks to a grant from the Sloan Foundation to co-principal investigators Prof. Lorena A. Barba, and Dean of Libraries Geneva Henry. Prof. Barba is the inaugural faculty director.