About CHAOSScon Africa

CHAOSScon Africa is a conference that brings together developers, designers, community managers, and others interested in contributing or building open source software. Join us for this one-day event to learn about open source and how you might get started contributing to an open source project, connect with others who are new to open source and meet the members of CHAOSScon Africa.

Event Details

Code of Conduct at Event

All speakers and attendees are required to adhere to CHAOSS's Code of Conduct. Instances of abusive, harassing, or otherwise unacceptable behavior may be reported by contacting Ruth Ikegah at ruth@chaoss.community.

Social Media and Conference Updates

Subscribe to our Slack Channel #CHAOSS-africa for updates about the conference and to coordinate meetups.

Follow @CHAOSS_Africa and tweet #CHAOSS #CHAOSSconAfrica during OSCA and CHAOSScon to let everyone know how important open source is!

Diversity Access Tickets and Family Friendliness

If you are interested in applying for a Diversity Access Ticket, you are welcome to fill out this form. There are a limited number of tickets available.

CHAOSScon Africa is dedicated to making it easier for families to attend the conference. As such, there will be a room available at the venue for nursing parents or for other family care needs.

Accessibility

The CHAOSScon Africa team is committed to providing accommodations to those in need, to the best of their ability. Please reach out to Maryblessing Okolie on the CHAOSS Slack to request or inquire about specific accommodations.

Schedule

June 14, 2023 from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm WAT

Speaker Bios and Session Descriptions

Justin Flory

Bio: Justin W. Flory is a creative maker. He is best known as an Open Source contributor and Free Culture advocate originally from the United States. Justin has participated in numerous Open Source communities and led different initiatives to build sustainable software and communities for over ten years. In October 2022, Justin joined Red Hat as the fourth Fedora Community Architect (FCA). He works closely between the Fedora Project community and Red Hat to lead initiatives that grow the Fedora user and developer communities. He also helps make Red Hat and Fedora interactions more transparent and open.

Talk type: Keynote

Talk Title: The Open Source Launchpad: A Then & now look at tech careers

Talk abstract:

Open Source is “everything, everywhere, all at once.” In 2022, GitHub reported over 94 million developers using the platform and over 3.5 billion contributions recorded on the platform. While GitHub does not only have Open Source projects, it is impossible to ignore the changing drumbeat and record investments made into “Open Work” over the last ten years. But when people say “open source” and “free software,” what exactly do they mean? How do we define “free stuff” and what different ways do we produce this “free stuff?” Furthermore, how are companies, businesses, governments, and international NGOs providing opportunities, careers, and jobs to work on “free stuff?”

In this talk, Justin W. Flory will pull the curtain back on the past 40 years of “free & open source,” how we got to where we are today, and advice on how to find competitive careers working on open source products and with open source communities. Justin pulls from both public history and his own personal experience as an open-source contributor for the last 10 years, beginning when he was a high school student. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of the different ways “free & open source” are used in industry and gain insight into how open source projects can act as a launchpad for a technology career.

Brayan Kai Mwanyumba

Bio: Brayan Kai is a Machine Learning Engineer Passionate about Communities, Developer Relations, Technical Writing and Open-Source Advocacy. He currently volunteers at different developer communities across Africa including Google Crowdsource, Open-Source Community Africa, She Code Africa and Dev Careers. All this owing to his strong passion for supporting fellow upcoming technologists, and women in tech and advocating for inclusion and diversity. He calls this his personal mission. It makes him happier, and more balanced and gives him a stronger sense of purpose to innovate, share, and teach in and with the community rather than just for it.

Talk type: Lighting talk

Talk title Building Trust in AI: The Importance of Explainability in Open Source Projects

Talk abstract:

Artificial Intelligence systems have become an integral part of modern technology and have the potential to revolutionise various industries. However, as AI systems become more complex and make decisions that affect human lives, building trust in AI is crucial. Explainability, the ability to understand how AI makes decisions, is a critical factor in building trust in AI. In this talk, we will discuss the importance of explainability in open-source AI projects and its impact on community health.

Alexis Abakasanga

Bio: Alexis is a product designer who is dedicated to open source, public speaking, and volunteering. He was recognised as the Campus Ambassador of the Year for Ingressive For Good in 2022. He enjoys sharing his knowledge with the community, as he believes that it can benefit everyone.

Talk type: Lighting talk

Talk Title: A Day in the Life of an Open Source Designer.

Talk abstract: After being released from an internship one month in due to reasons unknown to me, I had no idea what to do next. I discovered the world of open source via Twitter through Victory Brown and Anita iHuman’s tweets about Layer5 looking for designers. Three months later, I was recognized for my cultural alignment with their shared success model and was awarded a community member profile for my efforts. How did I achieve success so fast, and what were the pitfalls I discovered along the way? I would like to share my day in the life of a product designer contributing to open source.

Anita Ihuman

Bio: Anita is a developer advocate and technical writer. she has a track record in web development and DevRel on a global scale. With a focus on advocating for open source, Cloud Native, DevOps, documentation, community management, and DEI best practices, she is uniquely positioned to help individuals become more comfortable and confident as they contribute to their communities.

Talk type: Keynote

Talk Title: Navigating the CHAOSS community: from beginner to pro

Talk abstract: The CHAOSS community is a vibrant and diverse ecosystem that focuses on open-source development and metrics for analyzing software and communities. However, just like every open-source community, can be overwhelming to navigate for interested contributors and new members.

In this session, I will introduce the CHAOSS community, highlighting its mission, values, and areas of focus, such as software development metrics, diversity and inclusion, and community health. Using my journey so far as a reference, I will discuss the different working groups, and how one can get started and become actively involved with CHAOSS.

Sean Goggins

Bio: Sean is an open-source software researcher and a founding member of the Linux Foundation’s working group on community health analytics for open-source software CHAOSS, co-lead of the CHAOSS metrics software working group, and leader of the open-source metrics tool AUGUR, which can be forked and cloned and experimented with on GitHub. Sean’s other major research project over the past decade, Mission Hydro-Sci, focuses on computational modeling and artificial intelligence for discerning student learning progress in Serious Games. He lives in Columbia, MO, with his wife Kate, two daughters (a third, the oldest, is off getting her Ph.D.), and a dog named Huckleberry.

Talk type: Lighting Talk

Talk Title: Identifying Open Source Ecosystems Using Network Analysis, Artificial Intelligence, and Dependency Patterns

Talk abstract: Come with me to the edge of possibility. At the junction of a free thought-centered movement to build and share software in public spaces free of charge and the social and technical complexities of maintaining an ever-growing software maintenance weight, we find “Open-Source Software.” To newcomers, a singular place where remote work happens, somehow, on GitHub, GitLab, or BitBucket. In this talk, I will Illustrate the Application of CHAOSS Metrics, Dynamic Networks of people and artifacts, and cross-project patterns of dependency utilization and currency.
This talk will present a view of Professor Goggins’ decade-long pursuit of understanding the complex socio-technical work context of Open-Source Software and include reflections on his deep engagement with the Linux Foundation, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, corporate open-source program offices, Medicare/Medicaid, universities, and scientific enterprises over the past decade. These insights are then supported through the lens of a six-year-old, large-scale software project for gathering electronic trace data about open-source software and analyzing it. In this talk, the analysis and insight include existing CHAOSS metrics and an emerging milieu of network analysis, artificial intelligence, and dependency pattern analysis which, together, make it possible to understand ecosystems of open source software that reach beyond our present definitions, which rely nearly entirely on an ecosystem declaring itself to be an ecosystem. Participants in the talk will walk away with a clearer view of how to frame research questions related to what is, in the presenter’s view, the largest and most expansive context for distributed work in history. We need ways to study one ecosystem at a time in a gigantic social computing metaverse. This talk is filled with ideas, demonstrations, and insights that build on current work within the CHAOSS project.

Desmond Obisi

Bio: Desmond is a software engineer and developer advocate/experience engineer building web products with over five years of experience. I'm an open-source contributor and technical writer whose vision is to build great products and makes them easy for the world to use. If I'm not building, you'll see me speaking and engaging communities.

Talk type: Lighting

Talk Title: Accelerating your personal and professional growth through open source contributions: Standing out in a world full of talents.

Talk abstract: Join me to explore how open source contribution can accelerate your personal and professional growth. In a world full of talented individuals, standing out can be a challenge. By leveraging the talent-rich ecosystem of open-source communities, you can gain valuable experience, build your personal brand, and connect with like-minded individuals. This talk will cover key strategies for identifying and contributing to open-source projects, managing your time, building relationships, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in tech. Whether you're a seasoned contributor or just getting started, you'll leave with practical insights and actionable steps for leveraging open-source contributions to accelerate your growth and stand out in a crowded field.

Blessing Eloho Awhensebe

Bio: Blessing Eloho Awhensebe is a community builder with over 3 years of experience managing and building developer communities for renowned organizations like Women TechMakers and Google Developer Groups. She is passionate about creating exceptional events and experiences that drive community growth. She is committed to creating engaging and inclusive events that inspire, educate and connect attendees.

Talk type: Lighting

Talk Title: Revitalize Your Community: Prioritizing Health and Well-Being for a Stronger, More Connected Community.

Talk abstract: In this presentation, I would explore the importance of prioritizing health and well-being when revitalizing communities. I would discuss strategies for creating a more connected and resilient community, and highlight the benefits of investing in community health. From fostering social connections to improving physical health, prioritizing well-being can lead to a stronger and more vibrant community.

Funke Olasupo

Bio: Funke is a Backend Developer and Technical Writer. She is passionate about building technical-focused communities for women and young teenagers. She is currently a Women TechMakers Ambassador and Postman Supernova. When she is not writing code or creating technical content, she is volunteering for a community social service project.

Talk type: Lighting

Talk Title: Skyrocket your Technical Writing Journey with Open Source

Talk abstract: Unleash the power of open source and take your technical writing skills to new heights! Discover how open source can accelerate your growth, ignite your creativity, and enhance your collaboration with developers and users. From creating engaging documentation to collaboration, learn how contributing to open-source projects can skyrocket your technical writing journey. From gaining real-world experience to building a portfolio, this talk will also explore the benefits and offer tips to get started and grow.

Ifihanagbara Olusheye

Bio: Ifihan Olusheye is a software engineer with a passion for building scalable solutions with new technologies. She specializes in Backend Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, and Technical Writing. Ifihan enjoys writing Python and Julia, and she actively contributes to open-source projects.

Talk type: Workshop

Talk Title: Introductory Session to GitHub Copilot

Talk abstract: GitHub Copilot is a new AI-powered pair programming assistant that can help you write code faster and more efficiently. It is powered by OpenAI Codex, a large language model trained on a massive dataset of code and text. GitHub Copilot can suggest code, entire functions, and even complete comments, all in real-time. In this introductory session, we will learn about the basics of GitHub Copilot and how to use it to improve your coding productivity. We will also discuss some of the potential benefits and steps of using AI-powered tools for coding. This session is designed for developers of all levels of experience. No prior knowledge of GitHub Copilot or OpenAI Codex is required.

Enock Kasaadha

Bio: Software Engineer contributing to CHAOSS and Debian. Always running across tech stacks

Talk type: Workshop

Talk Title: How the Badging bot works

Talk abstract The proposed talk will provide a comprehensive overview of the technical side of the DEI Badging program managed by the CHAOSS Community. The talk will cover the functions and features of the Badging bot and how it will integrate into the website, including notifying maintainers, guiding applicants and reviewers, assigning reviewers, opening checklists, generating badge links, and updating the events table. Use cases, bug reporting, and contribution opportunities will be discussed. The talk aims to equip attendees with a thorough understanding of the Badging-bot's role in improving the efficiency of the badging process.

Luis Cañas-Díaz

Bio: CHAOSS Contributor and Bitergia Co-founder

Talk type: Lighting

Talk Title: Community Health Metrics with Grimoirelab

Talk abstract: None

CHAOSScon Africa 2023 Organizing Committee

• Ruth Ikegah
• Maryblessing Okolie
• Kingsley Mkpandiok
• Ihuoma Anosike
• Precious Abubakar
• ASAIJE Elozino Lopez
• Davies Esogbue
• Busayo Ojo
• Faith Kovi