Episode 292

Vlad-Stefan Harbuz: Launching the Software Stewardship Lab

August 7th, 2026

35 mins 58 secs

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About this Episode

Guest

Vlad-Stefan Harbuz

Panelist

Richard Littauer | Eriol Fox | Abby Cabunoc Mayes

Show Notes

“Today we’re launching the Software Stewardship Lab.” - Vlad-Stefan

In this episode, Richard, Abby, and Eriol welcome Vlad-Stefan Harbuz - University of Edinburgh PhD student, Executive Director of the Software Stewardship Lab, and Director of the Open Source Pledge - to talk about the Open Source Pledge and the newly launched Software Stewardship Lab. They discuss how companies can better support the open source software they depend on, why it can be difficult to know where funding should go, and how the lab hopes to address issues like software security, hidden dependencies, and maintainer burnout. Press download now to hear more!

[00:02:03] Richard introduces Vlad and his background, and Vlad shares his path into open source research.

[00:03:30] Vlad explains how the Open Source Pledge works.

[00:06:17] The conversation turns to how the funding goes directly to maintainers.

[00:07:57] Vlad discusses why open source funding becomes a popularity contest.

[00:10:05] We hear about challenges for large companies joining the pledge.

[00:13:16] Vlad tells us about the Software Stewardship Lab.

[00:15:09] The conversation highlights the importance of design, user experience, copywriting, localization, data collection, and other essential work that is frequently overlooked or poorly funded.

[00:17:59] Vlad discusses potential partnerships with the Software Sustainability Institute and researchers studying open source, research software, and community health.

[00:20:58] We hear how the lab plans to fund its work and the hidden risk of binary dependencies.

[00:25:49] The lab’s work extends beyond dependency mapping to research on maintainer burnout, the effects of AI, mental health, and governance structures that encourage sustainable participation.

[00:28:48] Vlad urges employees and decision-makers to recognize that supporting open source is both a public good and a practical business investment that can prevent critical infrastructure from breaking.

Quotes

[00:09:12] “These metrics are at best proxies currently.”

[00:17:47] “We need more educational resources to show people that this stuff is really important and it’s not just lines of code.”

[00:28:19] “It’s about creating a larger space that focused on more general questions in open source sustainability.”

[00:28:53] “I would like to tell people that work for large companies to tell their employers that their corporate commercial work relies more on open source software that people develop for free in their free time, the work is tremendously important for their business, and there are other organizations that are doing work to help create resources to make this infrastructure more sustainable.”

[00:29:31] “Try to convince your boss that this stuff is worth funding, and not just for the social good! It’s also in the company’s interest, so you have two very good reasons to do it.”

Spotlight

  • [00:31:15] Eriol’s spotlight is Paloma Oliveira’s book, Diversifying Open Source.
  • [00:31:48] Abby’s spotlight is Ben Balter’s book, Open and Async.
  • [00:32:25] Richard’s spotlight is the Generative AI Risk Register.
  • [00:33:01] Vlad’s spotlight is Chad Whitacre and Open Path Episode 4.

Links

Sponsor

CURIOSS

Credits

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