Talks

I strongly believe that if I can’t explain a concept to a layperson, I haven’t really understood the concept. I’ve been engaged in public speaking since 2009, when I was part of the Astronomy Club at my almamater. For more than 15 years, I’ve tried to explain concepts in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Cosmology, Physics, Python, Scientific Computing, Software development and Software Architecture, Free & Open Source Software, Digital Commons, Public Policy/Tech Policy, and more. What follows is a non-exhaustive list, in reverse chronological order.

2025

  • [February] Participated in a panel discussion on “The Power of Open Source and Collaborative Technology for Social Change” as part of Dasra Philanthropy Week 2025
  • [January] Moderated a panel discussion on Free & Open Source Software for the not-for-profit ecosystem at the OASIS Spark event

2024

  • [December] Participated in the “Sustaining DPGs: Open-source, community-led development & maintenance” panel discussion at DPG Dialogues 2024
  • [October] Talked to Kalvium students about FOSS in Engineering Education, as part of their Hacktober series of talks
  • [October] Talked about FOSS & Progress to the Fellows at Citizens for Public Leadership
  • [August] Talked about the future of Free & Open Source Software in Emerging technologies as part of the MadScientist Talks
  • Invited to talk about FOSS in Engineering Education at MEC.Conf, MEC Kochi
  • [July] Talked about FOSS and the need for interdisciplinary education on the Cogaan student podcast at GITAM, Hyderabad

2023

2017

2016

2011

  • Helped organize an Astrophotography workshop for amaterur astronomers at Shaastra, the annual student tech fest at IIT Madras

2010

  • Helped organize a make-a-telescope workshop for amateur astronomers at Shaastra, the annual student tech fest at IIT Madras
  • Co-speaker for a session on Radio Astronomy as part of the student Astronomy Club