Higher Education:
cooperative. strategic. sovereign
The goal is to strategically make open-source software and open standards stable and future-proof together, and to establish university teaching in a sovereign manner.
March 3–5, 2027
Leibniz Universität Hannover
Leibniz School of Education
Im Moore 11, 30167 Hannover
The Topics: Cooperation – Strategy – Sovereignty
Open Source Multitudes brings together three interdependant strands of higher education: Cooperation (how we work together), Strategy (how we organize collaboration for the long term) and Sovereignty (how we reduce dependencies and maintain our capacity to act).
Cooperation: We develop software together
Open education infrastructure only works when universities and communities cooperate: clarifying requirements, setting priorities, sharing knowledge, making solutions viable for the long term.
Strategy: Building reliability – beyond project funding
Many open solutions emerge from projects but they need to work permanently. At Open Source Multitudes, strategy means not just "more features" but reliable structures that sustain operations and ongoing development.
Sovereignty: Maintaining the capacity to act – technologically and organizationally
Digital sovereignty means that universities can shape their teaching reliably without depending on individual vendors in critical areas. Open source is an important foundation for this – but true sovereignty only emerges when operations, knowledge, interfaces and ongoing development are all part of the equation.
Questions & Answers
What happens on site?
Three days of hands-on working formats, forward-looking debates and the chance to connect intensively beyond the program. The goal: outcomes that can be built upon.
How can I get involved?
Through the Call for Participation, which we will publish in late summer 2026. Through the open formats on site. And through community engagement afterwards. Subscribe to our conference updates so you don't miss registration, dates and announcements!
Why "Open Source Multitudes"?
The field of open source software in higher education is diverse – and that is a strength. With Open Source Multitudes, we bring key stakeholders together, make the diversity of solutions and approaches visible, and show that good higher education can be organized independently and self-sufficiently.
This requires a place where people don't just discuss but work together: on decisions, roadmaps and collaborations that carry beyond the three days. Open Source Multitudes is that place.
Do I need to be there in person?
Open Source Multitudes is an in-person event. We will livestream key talks and publish them afterwards – but the conference thrives on being there and getting involved on site.
Where exactly does the conference take place?
Open Source Multitudes takes place at the Leibniz School of Education, Im Moore 11, 30167 Hannover. From the main train station, it's about 20 minutes by public transport or 25 minutes on foot.
Contact
Cornelis Kater
Project Lead, Open Source Development Network (OSDN)
“Do you have any questions or ideas? Feel free to contact me”
Send email
Christian Friedrich
Christian Friedrich
“Do you have any questions or ideas? Feel free to contact me”
Send email
About Us
In the Open Source Development Network (OSDN), universities collaboratively develop future-proof teaching and learning infrastructure. OSDN is part of the project "Digitale Lehre Hub Niedersachsen" (DLHN) at Hochschule.digital Niedersachsen (HdN).
OSDN is supported by the Bündnis Open Source Bildung.
Newsletter & Social Media
Don't miss any conference updates on Open Source Multitudes: news on the program, CfP and registration – straight to your inbox.
Subscribe to conference updates