[Linux-aus] Member thoughts on RSAA26 sponsorship invitation

[Kathy Reid]

Strong support.

Rowland Mosbergen has been the driving force, along with several others, 
of RSEAA, over the past 3-4 years.

Strong focus on accessibility, inclusion and cross-country relationship 
building. With visas difficult to obtain, and travel grants for 
researchers harder to find, a fully online conference makes it much 
easier for collaboration.

The umbrella org for RSEAA is Equersa, who are clearly committed to DEI 
at a time when doing so is dangerous [0] - showing values alignment with 
Linux Australia's values.

There are many activities in the RSE (research software engineering) 
space in Australia, including The Carpentries, RezBaz events and events 
run by HPC facilities such as NCI and Pawsey, and umbrella orgs like 
ARDC, as well as institution-specific events. My understanding is that 
RSEAA fills a gap in this ecosystem by bringing together RSEs *across 
borders* - but that's my understanding only and may be flawed.

What's the RoI for Linux Australia? Brand awareness. Do we get anything 
that serves as a funnel or a hook into ticket sales for e.g. PyconAU or 
Everything Open? That's what I see as the key value add for LA and might 
be a negotiating point.

Kind regards,

Kathy Reid


[0] https://equersa.org/#diversity-equity-and-inclusion-dei-statement

On 17/4/26 22:17, Jonathan Woithe via linux-aus wrote:
> Hi all
>
> Linux Austalia has been asked to consider sponsoring the Research Software
> Asia Australia Conference (RSAA26).  Before making a decision, the LA
> Council would like to understand what our members think of the concept
> and whether sponsoring RSAA26 is something LA should do.
>
> The conference website is at
>
>      https://rseaa.org/
>
> A link to the sponsorship prospectus is in the "Partners for 2026" section.
> This document provides additional information about the conference and
> outlines the sponsorship tiers.  It is worth noting that RSAA26 is a fully
> online conference.  It has been suggested that LA consider sponsoring at the
> "Acessibility Partner" level ($1800).
>
> Council would like to make an in-principle decision at its meeting on 6 May
> 2026.  It would therefore be appreciated that feedback be provided within
> the next two weeks (by 1 May 2026).  This can be sent as a reply to this
> post on the linux-aus mailing list or by an email direct to Council
> (council at linux.org.au).
>
> Regards
>
> Jonathan
> (on behalf of the LA Council)
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