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Dr. Dawn Foster

@geekygirldawn.bsky.social
1.2K followers 261 following 411 posts

Open source strategy consultant (details at fastwonder.com), Governing Board member and WG chair at CHAOSS, OpenUK board, TODO Group Ambassador, runner, sci-fi, 3D printed designs, vegan, world traveler. Opinions my own.

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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 21h
Apparently, I was walking around Prague last week during #OSSSummit with a broken ankle. I ducked out of #communityOverCode and got an X-ray here in Glasgow where I learned that I have a “wee fracture” and now I get to wear one of those enormous boots for 6 weeks. Fun times!
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
This week I’ll be at #CommunityOverCode with a selection of earrings that I designed and 3D printed. Find me if you’d like a pair! #ASF2026Glasgow
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
If you missed my #ossummit talk, Strategic Approach to Demonstrating the Value of Open Source Efforts, the slides are uploaded at fastwonderblog.com/wp-content/u... The slides are a bit sparse, but they do contain links to loads of guides and other resources on the topic.
fastwonderblog.com
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
If you’re at #ossummit, I have a selection of earrings that I designed and 3D printed. Find me if you’d like a pair!
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Powen Shiah @powen.net · 07/10/2026
Very excited to be back at #ossummit this year and to speak on Friday. If you’re around, come find me and definitely come to my talk!
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Finally landed in Prague for #OSSummit after the pilot pulled out of the landing at the last minute, not once, but twice. The first was cross winds, and the second was because another aircraft was on our runway 🤪🤣
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
I recently got an air fryer, so now we’re using it to cook all the things! Tonight we had batata harra (spicy Lebanese potatoes), tofu with tahini sauce, and padron peppers (disclaimer: the peppers weren’t air fried).
Potatoes, tofu & peppers on a white plate.
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
I’ve been unhappy with Evernote for a while, but the recent massive price increase put me over the edge. Today’s project was migrating 17+ years of notes. Oof. Anything still remotely relevant went into Obsidian. Everything else to an archive folder.
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
I’m excited to be leading the Roundtable Discussion at OpenChain x OSPOlogy Prague on October 6 on the topic of taking a Strategic Approach to Improving your OSPO using CHAOSS. You can get a preview of my talk at fastwonderblog.com/2026/09/30/s...
Hero image for Roundtable Discussion: [GROUP B] Strategic Approach to Improving your OSPO using CHAOSS. MENTOR: Dawn Foster (TODO Group Ambassador). October 6, 2026. 13:40 - 14:40. Deloitte Offices. OpenChain X OSPOlogy Prague 2026.
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I had a lovely 11 days in Malta with mom & Paul! Back to reality now with a busy week prepping everything for back to back events with OSPOlogy & #opensourcesummit in Prague and ASF’s #communityOverCode in Glasgow.
Dawn, mom and Paul with glasses of red wine at dinner in front of a sunny window
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I’m thrilled that the research we have been working on for 3+ years has been published in @wiley.com's ISJ! “Freeriding and Rebellion: An Investigation of Open Source Vendor Relicensing and Member Hard Forking Events” is available via open access #PublishedArticle fastwonderblog.com/2026/09/16/f...
fastwonderblog.com
Freeriding and Rebellion: An Investigation of Open Source Vendor Relicensing and Member Hard Forking Events | Fast Wonder
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Fixing the leadership gap threatening open source project sustainability is going to take work action from all of us. This is what I'll be talking about at #CommunityOverCode #ASF2026Glasgow! Here's a blog post with a preview of that talk! fastwonderblog.com/2026/09/15/f...
fastwonderblog.com
Fixing the leadership gap threatening open source projects | Fast Wonder
I’m excited to be attending and presenting at my first ASF Community Over Code in October! It’s an event that I’ve always wanted to attend, but for whatever reason, I could never quite fit it into my schedule … until now.
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
The final post in my series about the CHAOSS Practitioner Guides is about impact: funding impact measurement and research software impact. As always, if you need help with any of the topics I've covered, reach out to learn more about my consulting services! fastwonderblog.com/2026/09/08/p...
fastwonderblog.com
Part 4: Assessing Impact Using CHAOSS Practitioner Guides | Fast Wonder
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I've reached the age where I now have reading glasses in almost every room 🤪
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
The CHAOSS Practitioner Guides on value and viability can help you justify the value of your OSS contributions both from the strategic side (value) and for understanding / mitigating risks (viability). Read the post for more or contact me for consulting services: fastwonderblog.com/2026/09/01/p...
fastwonderblog.com
Part 3: Determining Value and Viability Using CHAOSS Practitioner Guides | Fast Wonder
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Introduce yourself with 10 acts you’ve seen live. INXS Midnight Oil Public Image Limited Motograter Testament Megadeth Judas Priest Black Sabbath Ramones Debbie Harry
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FOSDEM @fosdem.org · 30/08/2026
fosdem.org
FOSDEM 2027 will take place on 30 & 31 January 2027 — FOSDEM 2027
FOSDEM 2027 will take place on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 January 2027, at the ULB Solbosch campus in Brussels, Belgium.
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Matt and I wrote an IEEE Computer article about how the tension created when vendors and cloud providers compete to capture value creates friction and disruption for users and contributors. It's another take on the relicensing / forks research. The full paper can be read at doi.org/10.1109/MC.2...
doi.org
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Improving open source project security and increasing diverse leadership can help a project become more sustainable over time, but when a project has reached the end, it can be responsibly sunsetted, instead abandoned. Here's part 2 of my Practitioner Guide series: fastwonderblog.com/2026/08/25/p...
fastwonderblog.com
Part 2: Additional Sustainability Topics From the CHAOSS Practitioner Guides | Fast Wonder
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
I’m proud of what we accomplished with the CHAOSS Practitioner Guides. I’ve written posts about individual guides, but I wanted to talk about how they fit together. This post focuses on building healthy and sustainable projects and is the first in a 4 part series. fastwonderblog.com/2026/08/20/p...
fastwonderblog.com
Part 1: Building Healthy and Sustainable Projects Using CHAOSS Practitioner Guides | Fast Wonder
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OpenUK @openuk.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
OpenUK 7th Annual Awards: Open Source Software category nominations are open until 6 September. Nominate yourself or a colleague: openuk.uk/awards/ Thanks to our open source software sponsor Red Badger 💫 #opensource #openukawards
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
One way to help OSS projects is by funding development and maintenance, but it can be hard to justify. Measuring the impact can show leadership the value of that funding. Here's a blog post, and I'm available for consulting engagements on this topic. fastwonderblog.com/2026/06/02/h...
fastwonderblog.com
How OSPOs can Measure the Impact of OSS Funding | Fast Wonder
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
I'm available for consulting engagements starting in Nov. I can help you get more value out of your open source efforts by aligning your contributions with your strategies. I also work on understanding funding impact, improving OSS project governance, and custom research projects. fastwonder.com
fastwonder.com
Consulting by Dawn Foster
Leverage Dr. Dawn Foster’s decades of experience working in open source to help your organization make the most out of their open source engagements.
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Software Stewardship Lab @stewardshiplab.org · 07/08/2026
Today, we're launching a world-class research lab dedicated to Open Source sustainability with a team of some of the most experienced people in the world.
stewardshiplab.org
A Research Lab for Open Source ✸ Software Stewardship Lab
Today, we're launching a world-class research lab dedicated to Open Source sustainability with a team of some of the most experienced people in the world.
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SustainOSS @sustainoss.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Join us for the launch of the Software Stewardship Lab (stewardshiplab.org)! @vlad.website is on the podcast with hosts @richlitt.bsky.social, @abbycabs.dev & @erioldoesdesign.bsky.social to talk about promoting research for OSS maintainers and sustainers. Listen at 🎙️ podcast.sustainoss.org/292.
bsky.app
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
I’m excited to be a part of the new Software Stewardship Lab, which is launching today! The Software Stewardship Lab is a new organization dedicated to funding research on open source sustainability, a topic I care deeply about. fastwonderblog.com/2026/08/07/l...
fastwonderblog.com
Launching the Software Stewardship Lab | Fast Wonder
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Loving the shares from the back catalog of #FOSSBack! This talk about recruiting contributors from 2023 is particularly relevant today with so many maintainers overworked and burning out. Related: this lovely report on maintainer burnout from @mirandaheath.website stewardshiplab.org/reports/burn...
stewardshiplab.org
Burnout in Open Source: A Structural Problem We Can Fix Together ✸ Software Stewardship Lab
Burnout is affecting the entire Open Source ecosystem. Here's what we could do to make things better.
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FOSS Backstage @foss-backstage.de · 23/07/2026
🔍 We are looking for a venue for next year's #FOSSBack in Berlin! As this year's location might not be available, we need a budget-friendly alternative for 200–300 people with space for 3 stages, catering, and a hallway track. Any suggestions?
a photo of multiple posters advertising foss backtage
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FOSS Backstage @foss-backstage.de · 15/07/2026
Dawn Foster and Peculiar C. Umeh were at #FOSSBack 2025 and during their session "Data to Action: Build Healthy & Sustainable OSS Communities" they shared tools and techniques to build healthy and sustainable OSS projects, and more. Catch the full recording: youtube.com/watch?v=...
youtube.com
Data to Action: Build Healthy & Sustainable OSS Communities #FOSSBack
More: https://25.foss-backstage.de/sessions/Data-to-Action-Build-Healthy-Sustainable-OSS-Communities Speaker: Dawn Foster, Peculiar C. Umeh Being proactive a...
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
I had a great time presenting about sunsetting projects at the Open Source Summit NA with Remy DeCausemaker, Dinne Kopelevich, Natalia Luzuriaga, and Sachin Panayil! Here's a blog post with more details: fastwonderblog.com/2026/07/02/f...
fastwonderblog.com
From Active To Archive: Shepherding Repositories Through Their Sunset | Fast Wonder
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OpenUK @openuk.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Research and Reporting has grown exponentially for OpenUK, and we welcome Director of Data Analytics, Dr Daniel Izquierdo Cortázar, from Madrid, Spain, who brings a wealth of data experience from his work with @chaossproj.bsky.social and beyond. openuk.uk/profiles/dan... #opensource
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
My heat wave coping strategy is delicious!
2 watermelon margaritas with tajin rims and metal cocktail sticks with chunks of watermelon. Cocktail sticks are topped with an owl bear and palm tree, and the margarita glass stems have Shaun the sheep and a fox wine charms.
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
The first place I blogged professionally was on the GigaOM Web Worker Daily blog. I only had a few interactions with Om, but he was always kind and smart. Such a loss. boingboing.net/2026/06/25/o...
boingboing.net
Om Malik, 1966-2026
Om Malik was a great tech blogger in the times when tech was fun. "Blogging is not about opinion but it is about viewing the world in a certain way…
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
I’ve been fortunate to be able to attend UN Open Source Week again where they bring the OSS community together with government and policy folks to facilitate collaboration and information sharing. Here are my thoughts from the first 4 days. #UNOpenSourceWeek fastwonderblog.com/2026/06/25/u...
fastwonderblog.com
United Nations Open Source Week | Fast Wonder
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
I’m super excited for UN open source week and looking forward to seeing friends while also meeting some new folks! I’ll be around all week, so stop me to say hello or find me if you’d like CHAOSS stickers or earrings 🤩
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Open source project governance is something I'm particularly passionate about, but I’ve also started thinking more about the intersection between public governance and open source. This blog post has links to recent talks that I've done on both of these topics! fastwonderblog.com/2026/06/18/t...
fastwonderblog.com
Thoughts on Governance | Fast Wonder
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Here's a blog post to collect all of my posts / presentations about demonstrating open source value in one place. It also includes a video of my recent talk at the Open Source Summit Minneapolis in May. I hope you enjoy it! fastwonderblog.com/2026/06/08/a...
fastwonderblog.com
A Strategic Approach to Demonstrating the Value of OSS Efforts | Fast Wonder
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
I published an article in IEEE's Computer with advice and resources for improving open source project sustainability through good governance. It's only 4 pages, so it's a nice, easy read if you want to learn about how governance impacts project success and sustainability. doi.org/10.1109/MC.2...
doi.org
Open Source Governance Practices: A Path to Improving Sustainability
This article provides advice and resources for improving open source project sustainability through good governance practices.
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Times are tough. OSPOs are feeling the pinch, and it can be hard to justify continuing to fund open source projects. Measuring the impact of funding open source isn’t easy, and there is no one approach, so I just wrote this blog post to help you get started. fastwonderblog.com/2026/06/02/h...
fastwonderblog.com
How OSPOs can Measure the Impact of OSS Funding | Fast Wonder
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
My #ossummit talk about demonstrating the value of open source efforts is at 1:30 in 200A, and you can also get a copy of my slides from osselcna2026.sched.com/event/2JQqO/...
osselcna2026.sched.com
Open Source Summit + Embedded Linux Conference North America 2026: Strategic Approach To Demonstrating the...
View more about this event at Open Source Summit + Embedded Linux Conference North America 2026
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
If you’re here at #ossummit, my governance talk is at 11:20 in 200J. If not, the slides are already uploaded in case you’d like a look at them! osselcna2026.sched.com/event/2JQp5/...
osselcna2026.sched.com
Open Source Summit + Embedded Linux Conference North America 2026: Proactive Governance To Build Sustainabl...
View more about this event at Open Source Summit + Embedded Linux Conference North America 2026
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
I’ve arrived in Minneapolis a day early for #ossummit because the flight was way cheaper. I already found delicious Ethiopian food, but now I’m fighting to stay awake and beat the jet lag.
Ethiopian veggie platter with beets, greens, red lentils, and yellow lentils on injera with a side salad.
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
I've been taking some time off over the past 6 weeks and loving that I have time to focus on learning more about 3D print design. Today's achievement was learning some techniques to remove jagged bubbly spots on the curved bits underneath a shelf I designed for our new IKEA Nordli Headboard.
These are pictures of the underside of a shelf. The bottom image is the before showing jagged bumps on the curved surfaces. The top image is the after with lovely smooth curves.
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John Scalzi @scalzi.com · 03/05/2026
If you have to go to the hospital, you've had a fall. If you can get up and pretend you meant to do that, then you've merely fallen over.
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Boo-tros Boo-tros Ghoulish @dlbowman76.com · 03/05/2026
In Britain, groceries eat YOU!
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Massimo (mirror) @rainmaker1973-m.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Smol kitten Original post
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
We’re enjoying drinks in the sun in the garden at the pub on this 3 day holiday weekend. I know that talking about the weather is a British pastime, but I just heard a couple of 4 / 5 year olds at the next table having a long conversation about the weather, so apparently they start this very young 🤣
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Kingfisher & Wombat @tkingfisher.com · 30/04/2026
I’d add words of wisdom from my stepmother—“A hobby is something you spend money on. If you make money on it, it’s a job and you’ll eventually need a new hobby.”
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OpenUK @openuk.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
📣State of Open Con 26 is On The Road 🚘 and Early Bird Tickets for Edinburgh, on 5 June, are available at a discounted £99 until 6 May, focusing on the AI stack, working up from Compute through Models and Agents to user experiences and ROI with an openness slant. stateofopencon.com/edinburgh-so...
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Dr. Dawn Foster @geekygirldawn.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Open source projects provide opportunities for people to build leadership skills while learning how to positively influence without the power that comes with more traditional managerial roles. Thank you to the crew at @allthingsopen.bsky.social for sharing my post! allthingsopen.org/articles/pow...
allthingsopen.org
Power vs. influence: What open source teaches that business school doesn't | We Love Open Source • All Things Open
Open source leadership requires influence without power. Learn how contributing to projects builds essential management skills that traditional hierarchies can't teach.
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