When Dara Obademi describes how he found open science hardware, he tells a rich story of how curiosity led to connections that led to opportunity that led to discovery of an entirely new field, a new way of “doing” technology, and a new community spread across the world.
Trained as an electrical and electronics engineer in Nigeria, Dara’s path was shaped early by a habit of tinkering with devices which, combined with a “knack for problem solving”, led him to ultimately pursue a career in electrical engineering, with the goal of helping resolve the region’s persistent challenges in energy access. His early instinct – to learn by doing, knock on doors, and work towards shared solutions.
During his studies in Nigeria, Dara began to follow the work of some leaders in the field – it was through discussion with them that he found his way to the Forum – GOSH’s online discussion platform – and ultimately made his first post in 2018. “I didn’t know what open science was about,” he confesses, “but I knew people were building things… and I joined.”
His story, from there, unfolds in a cascade of connection, opportunity, exchange, and more connection, linking him to nearby African open hardware communities as well as to new colleagues around the world, working together to advance shared solutions to local problems. Over time, his participation translated into collaborations, invitations, and paid opportunities, all serving as an extension of his local work and original curiosities.
Dara’s work now spans advocacy, writing, speaking, and project exploration, including discussions with collaborators in Europe on open medical hardware and conversations with clinicians about local testing and adaptation. He is also serving on GOSH’sCommunity Council, an elected governance body that is helping to guide the community into its next decade.
“All of these opportunities I’ve been able to see were on the Forum. If not for the Forum,” he reflects, “I wouldn’t have gotten them.”
As GOSH marks its tenth year, stories like Dara’s offer an inspiring view into what longevity in a global community really looks like – it looks like sustained curiosity, the opportunity to follow and build on that curiosity, meaningful connections that can transform curiosity into scalable collaborations, and the immeasurable value of connection and community maintained over time.
