OSR will have one of the following formats:
As for the main OHBM conference, this year’s OSR will take place in a hybrid format.
What are Educational Sessions?
Educational Sessions are guides and ‘how-tos’ for open science-related topics, spanning from novice-level introductions to coding to advanced-level pipeline implementations.
What are Panel Discussions?
Panel Discussions are discussions amongst selected speakers and OSR attendees about various relevant topics, spanning across all aspects of open science practices. In the 2026 OSR, the program includes one round table and four named panels spanning practical, historical, and career-focused topics in open science. The OSR panel sessions are also a space to meet and interact with invited panelists about a range of community questions in a live hybrid setting.
What is the format of Panel Discussions?
Panel Discussion will feature a host that will moderate a predetermined topic of discussion among a panel of speakers. Speakers will be selected based on relevancy to the chosen panel topic. Panels typically involve 4 speakers per panel. Questions from the audience are encouraged (via chat feature if virtual) and will be transmitted to the panel by the host throughout the session.
In the 2026 OSR, the named round-table and panel sessions include:
- OSR Round Table: Open Science Room Opening ft. BIDS annual updates
- OSR Panel: Sharing Data Across Borders
- OSR Panel: How to Communicate Your Science to a Broader Audience
- OSR Panel: Ten years of OSSIG - historical perspectives on open science at OHBM
- OSR Panel: Career Journeys in Open Science
If you have any question regarding these sessions or would like to be featured, please feel free to contact us at ohbmopenscience@gmail.com.
What are Table Talks?
Table talks are information discussion sessions on the same topics as the Panel Discussion, but during the Table Talk, everyone can ask questions and everyone can answer them. This aims to foster organice conversations on the topics-of-interest in Open Science.
What is the format of Table Talk?
Table Talk will feature a host that will moderate the same topic of discussion as the panel, but among all attendees. There will be a moderator from the OSR team, and the panelists of the same topics are warmly invited to join for the table talk. Questions from the audience are encouraged (via chat feature if virtual) and will be transmitted to the panel by the moderator throughout the session.
In the 2026 OSR, the table talks include:
- The Buffet of Open Science
- What’s/who’s missing in the Era of Large Data?
- Preregistration Enhances Creativity in Science
- Using LLMs to Lower the Barrier to Entry to Open Science
If you have any question regarding these sessions or would like to be featured, please feel free to contact us at ohbmopenscience@gmail.com.
What are Emergent Sessions?
Emergent Sessions are spontaneous and interactive hot topic talks hosted by OSR attendees. Emergent sessions may last from 30 minutes to one hour (ideally 30 minutes planned talk and 30 minutes discussion). The duration will be set by the participant organizer, or it will run for as long as the conversation is flowing. Emergent Sessions can be framed as conversations held in an open format among peers. These sessions may be used to invite contributions to collaborative projects, hold an open forum to discuss a development in existing projects, hold a panel discussion, or basically anything you would like!
Emergent Sessions are available via application with limited slots.
How do I host an Emergent Session?
Emergent Sessions are bookable during the meeting for times allocated for Emergent Sessions. For 2026 OSR, the current program includes 6 slots. Emergent Sessions can be booked by any OHBM or OSR registered participant at any point during these periods of time (or in the meeting while there is space in the schedule). Submitted Emergent requests will be briefly reviewed and selected by the OSR team for appropriate content (taking into account diversity and how the topics fits), and details communicated regarding how to book a slot in our schedule. We will be on hand to manage the hosting and broadcast of your session on your behalf, and help your participants join the conversation.
How can I attend Emergent Sessions if I am a virtual attendee?
All Emergent Sessions will be live streamed and recorded (unless we have specific reason to think this would inhibit discussion). The recorded sessions will be made available for viewing on Crowdcast straight after the event. Links to this “spontaneously” recorded material will be shared with registered participants.