19 June 2024
Interpretations, metaphors, visions, and challenges — the 4th FOSSR Café brought together numerous members of the community, including many temporary staff and a Work Package leader.
Through symbolic objects and reflections, the discussion offered insight into the participants’ personal experiences and professional paths.
One participant appeared on video wearing a helmet, alongside a backpedal bicycle, a symbol of changing perspectives: braking by pedaling backward — a valuable lesson for both everyday life and research.
As Emanuela Varinetti noted, “A researcher’s career is a journey of responsibility and motivation, full of uphill climbs and descents that require us to often shift our mental frameworks and approaches.”
Pier Giuseppe Meo highlighted the importance of time — and of using it wisely — both in life and in research.
Serena Fabrizio delivered a presentation a trekking backpack as her symbolic object, representing the mental preparation and practical readiness a researcher needs before each journey.
She described it as “a metaphor for resilience and holistic vision — essential qualities for facing complex projects such as FOSSR.”
Another colleague, Daniele Bruschi, introduced WALL·E, the Disney character embodying three guiding principles: finding personal balance, actively protecting the environment, and contributing to the community as a public servant.
His reflection highlighted how personal values can perfectly align with professional goals.
Antonio Zinilli, leader of WP3 and head of the Online Research Panel (ORP), stressed the importance of synergy among colleagues working toward shared objectives, noting that interdisciplinarity is a fundamental aspect of the future of research.
Finally, Lorenzo Anastasi displayed a statuette of the goddess Athena and a medallion bearing her image — a tribute to wisdom and knowledge, representing his enduring dedication to learning.
The meeting once again showcased the diversity and richness of the FOSSR community, bringing together skills from computer science, data management, and project coordination to communication and cultural anthropology.
The key words that emerged — community, holistic vision, resilience, responsibility, and collaboration — reflect the strong collective commitment to building, at every level, the first Italian Open Cloud dedicated to social sciences.
The next meeting is scheduled for 2 July at 9:30 AM, when additional Work Package leaders will share new perspectives and ideas for FOSSR.