SciPy 2025

Open Code, Open Science: What’s Getting in Your Way?
07-10, 13:15–14:10 (US/Pacific), Room 315

Collaborating on code and software is essential to open science—but it’s not always easy. Join this BoF for an interactive discussion on the real-world challenges of open source collaboration. We’ll explore common hurdles like Python packaging, contributing to existing codebases, and emerging issues around LLM-assisted development and AI-generated software contributions.

We’ll kick off with a brief overview of pyOpenSci—an inclusive community of Pythonistas, from novices to experts—working to make it easier to create, find, share, and contribute to reusable code. We’ll then facilitate small-group discussions and use an interactive Mentimeter survey to help you share your experiences and ideas.

Your feedback will directly shape pyOpenSci’s priorities for the coming year, as we build new programs and resources to support your work in the Python scientific ecosystem. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned developer, you’ll leave with clear ways to get involved and make an impact on the broader Python ecosystem in service of advancing scientific discovery.


About pyOpenSci
pyOpenSci broadens participation in scientific open source by breaking down social and technical barriers. Our community works together to make participation in open source more accessible to everyone, everywhere. We run an open peer review process for scientific Python software and develop accessible, open learning resources that tackle common challenges—like packaging—in support of open and reproducible scientific discovery.

Leah is the Executive Director and Founder of pyOpenSci, an open source Python community that makes it easier for scientists to make, find, contribute to, and maintain scientific open source software. She is also a maintainer of the package stravalib.

Leah is a heartfelt, open science advocate and is also passionate about breaking down barriers of entry to participating in the open source ecosystem. Education has always been a core part of the programs she's built.

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Inessa is building bridges between people, open science, and open source software. She is passionate about making Python accessible for learners at all levels and has led numerous newcomer sprints, study groups, and tutorials. Inessa currently serves on the NumPy Steering Council and PyOpenSci Advisory Board. In her role as Open Source Program Manager at OpenTeams, Inessa has launched and actively supports several educational initiatives focused on widening the open source contributor pipeline. She is perpetually fascinated by incentive design, collaborative intelligence, and jazz.

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