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OSPARK Bootcamp - Promote your Open Research Passion!

Europe/Dublin
Online

Online

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81234580059?pwd=l9bUKL3ve4P3ptrmRwNIWdWqQW2p26.1
Description

Are you involved in an Open Research initiative, service or infrastructure?

Do you want to make it more visible?

Join us for the first ever OSPARK Bootcamp!


WHAT IS THE OSPARK BOOTCAMP?

The OSPARK bootcamp is all about creating visibility through outreach and marketing. It's a learning opportunity for people working in or leading Open Research initiatives, services or infrastructures. The bootcamp focuses on the needs of Open Research ambassadors and provides ample space to exchange ideas and learn from one another.

This bootcamp consists of a 6-week online course and a 2-day onsite workshop in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Visual description of the bootcamp. Everything that is shown is explained in the text below.

In the online courseย you can expect:

  • Emails with information and tasks (including workbooks) every Tuesday and Thursday.
  • One 15-minute check-in per week with another participant (your buddy) to exchange about problems and questions.
  • A 1-hour online session per week with an expert who answers questions and facilitates the group discussion.

All in all, please expect to work 3 hours per week on the online course. You will spend much of that time on your initiative's outreach, not just on learning.

At the 2-day onsite workshop we will tackle common challenges and work together on promoting the wonderful initiatives, services, and infrastructures you are building.ย 

IMPORTANT DATES

Dec 1, 2025 Participation applications open
Jan 16, 2026 Early notifications of participation
Feb 13, 2026 General participation applicationsย close
Feb 16, 2026 Notifications of participation for general applicants
Feb 20, 2026 QUB participation applicationsย close
Feb 25, 2026 Final notifications of participation
Mar 5 - Apr 16, 2026 Online course
Apr 23 -ย  24, 2026 Onsite workshop in Belfast

For more details on the timetable please scroll down. If you want to import the calendar into yours, click the calendar symbol on top of this page.

Side info: The Onsite Workshop dates were selected because some of you might already be in Belfast for the Collaborations Workshop (April 28-30).

PARTICIPATION FEES

Funding for running the OSPARK bootcamp is from the OSCARS project.

Hence participation is free of charge.

To increase our budget to for offering travel stipends, we integrated the possibility to pay solidarity payments.

TRAVEL STIPENDS FOR ONSITE WORKSHOP

We are able to offer a few stipends to support folks with their travel and hotel in the range of ยฃ200-500.

INCLUSIVE EVENT

We strive to make this event as inclusive as possible. Please let us know about your needs in the registration form.ย 

VENUE

The onsite workshop will be held at the Thomas J. Moran Graduate School, Queen's University Belfast.

RESEARCH

As a participant, you will be asked to take part in some research evaluating the course. More information will be provided closer to the time.

ORGANIZERS

The OSPARK Bootcamp is organized by the Digital Research Academy and OLS and funded via the OSCARS project:

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The onsite workshop is held in collaboration with the Open Research Team at Queen's University Belfast.

Queen's University Belfast logo.

TOPICS

The email course is kitchen-themed and has the following topics:

Recipe #0 โ€“ Step into the Kitchen: Your Visibility Journey Starts Here ๐Ÿณ

Recipe #1 โ€“ โ€œWhat? Why? Who?โ€ The 3 Important Questions

Recipe #2 โ€“ Whatโ€™s Your Flavor? Your unique voice and brand ๐Ÿ‹

Recipe #3 โ€“ Pick Your Plate: Choosing the Right Communication Channels ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ

Recipe #4 โ€“ Serving Your Message on Social Media ๐Ÿž๐Ÿ“ฑ

Recipe #5 โ€“ Your mouth is not only for eating: Presenting and Speaking

Recipe #6 โ€“ Audio on the Menu: Getting Started with Podcasting ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ

Recipe #7 โ€“ Lights, Camera, Action! Serving Your Message with Video ๐ŸŽฅ๐Ÿณ

Recipe #8 โ€“ Inbox Ingredients: Serving Value with Email โœ‰๏ธ

Recipe #9 โ€“ Bring It to the Table: Events & Conversations ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿณ๐Ÿ’ฌ

Recipe #10 โ€“ Generous Marketing: Serve Real Value, Not Sales Pitches ๐Ÿฅ

Recipe #11 โ€“ Donโ€™t Cook Alone: Involving Allies ๐Ÿค๐Ÿฅ˜

Recipe #12 โ€“ The Menu: Your Marketing & Communications Strategy ๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ๐Ÿฅ—

Recipe #13 - Dessert Is Served: Thank You + Whatโ€™s Next ๐ŸŽ‚

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In each online session we will discuss the topics of two emails. For dates and times, see below.ย 

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Digital Research Academy