Ithaka S+R

For open source software to thrive on university campuses, researchers need the coordination and support of dedicated offices—known as Open Source Program Offices, or OSPOs. Over the past several years, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation supported 12 universities to launch and grow OSPOs. Now, a new model to create system-level OSPO networks aims to enhance impact while sharing resources and expertise. In a new issue brief, Claire Baytas and Dylan Ruediger share insights on system-level OSPO projects at the University of California system and the University of Texas system, discussing their benefits, challenges, and potential for universities. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gV4a7wnq #OpenSourceSoftware #OpenSourceProgramOffices #OSPO

Open source didn’t start yesterday—and it didn’t start outside of higher education. For years, higher education has been a driving force behind the open source software movement. And yet, while we’ve made meaningful progress advancing Open Science through open access publishing and research data sharing, one area still lags: Open Source Research Software (OSRS). That gap is hard to ignore. At a recent Apereo Foundation-Ithaka S+R-led workshop, we brought together leaders from across the nonprofit, private, and academic sectors to explore how we can better sustain OSRS at colleges and universities. But we didn’t stop at open source. We also invited practitioners from across the broader “open” ecosystem—those working in: • Open Educational Resources (OER) • Open textbooks • Open content and open courses Why? Because while these communities may produce different outputs, they share the same foundation: ✅ Transparency ✅ Collaboration ✅ Iterative, community-driven design And, importantly, many of these initiatives are already well-established and widely recognized on campuses. That matters. Because the path forward for OSRS doesn’t start from scratch—it builds on the momentum, practices, and lessons learned from these adjacent open communities. If we want to see open source research software thrive, we don’t need to reinvent the model. We need to connect the ecosystem. 🌿 See the full report on the Ithaka S+R website. https://lnkd.in/gi-p6M3U

Can AI effectively support research administration? With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF)’s GRANTED program, we collaborated with Chapman University and Montclair State University to explore if and how emerging research institutions can use AI to reduce administrative burden and strengthen capacity. Through two multi-institutional workshops, we invited research administrators and other campus leaders to discuss where AI can help and where challenges remain. Dylan Ruediger, Ruby MacDougall, PhD, Stefanie Brachfeld, Doug Dechow, Jonathan Parker, and Jana Remy highlight takeaways from the workshops. Read the issue brief: https://lnkd.in/ghq_5Fvj #ResearchAdministration #EmergingResearchInstitutions #AI

Microgrants or emergency aid have the potential to significantly reduce the time it takes for students to earn a college degree. For students struggling to meet basic needs like food and housing, these initiatives can make all the difference. We’re launching a new project to explore the effectiveness of the Student Emergency Grant Fund at CUNY, a program funded by The Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation to help students experiencing financial hardships to stay enrolled. We’ll study the program’s impact on short- and long-term enrollment and degree completion, and discover how differences in the program’s implementation across The City University of New York campuses affect outcomes. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gwi5SR6h Photo by Allison Shelley/Complete College Photo Library #EmergencyAid #BasicNeeds #StudentOutcomes

Introducing a new program area at Ithaka S+R! Led by Elizabeth Davidson Pisacreta, Ph.D., the Postsecondary Value & Public Trust program aims to improve affordability, strengthen workforce alignment, and maximize value. Our projects explore how states are using financial aid to boost enrollment, investigate the effects of community-college bachelor’s degrees, measure the economic value of a liberal arts education, and much more. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gFjdSmAn #HigherEducation #CollegeAffordability #WorkforceDevelopment

At Ithaka S+R, we have a significant and growing program area focused on Postsecondary Value & Public Trust. This program meets the moment by focusing on affordability, workforce alignment, and the value of higher education. In a new blog post, Senior Director and Head of Strategy Elizabeth Davidson Pisacreta, Ph.D. describes the program and previews some of the exciting projects that advance the economic, social, and civic value of postsecondary education: https://lnkd.in/eEgg3hYv

Within academia, the Open Science movement continues to gain momentum, but one critical piece is often overlooked: open source research software. While many researchers rely on open source software, these tools often don’t last beyond a project’s lifecycle. With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, we hosted a workshop with the Apereo Foundation that aimed to support the open source research software ecosystem and develop pathways to sustain it within higher ed. Chelsea McCracken, Dylan Ruediger, Mark McBride, Patrick Masson, and Joshua Baron share what we learned from the convening: https://lnkd.in/gi-p6M3U #OpenScience #OpenSourceSoftware #Researchers #HigherEd

Public and academic libraries serve as vital entry points to education and opportunity, often for overlapping communities. Over the past three years, with support from ECMC Foundation, we’ve worked to equip libraries with the insights, tools, and evidence to develop effective partnerships—through an inventory of library websites, a series of case studies, and an in-person institute with libraries across the country. Today, we’re excited to share our Library Partnership Development Framework, featuring actionable guidance designed to support libraries at all stages of partnership. Explore the framework: https://lnkd.in/gED6AhQ3 #AcademicLibraries #PublicLibraries #LibraryPartnership #Librarians

Are museums prepared for climate change? Our 2025 survey found that while most art museums have established emergency response protocols, far fewer are taking more proactive measures to reduce their carbon footprint. However, the impacts are already being felt. → 41% reported experiencing power outages or blackouts → 40% reported issues related to humidity and extreme temperatures → Only 16% had not experienced any climate-related incidents Delve into more findings from our 2025 Art Museum Director Survey: https://lnkd.in/g5nPn-TH #ArtMuseums #ClimateChange #Museums

How does a college’s location shape graduates’ career paths? We collaborated with the PSEO Coalition to compare the career outcomes of graduates from rural and urban institutions in South Carolina. Using Postsecondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) data, Kyle P. Gray, Elise Miller McNeely, and Elizabeth Davidson Pisacreta, Ph.D. examine differences in earnings, industries of employment, and whether graduates stay or leave their communities. Discover more from the study, supported by the Strada Education Foundation: https://lnkd.in/gE_hy4_9 Photo by Allison Shelley/Complete College Photo Library #HigherEd #StudentSuccess #WorkforceDevelopment