Nomination Process for Community Recognition

Inspired by prestigious awards like the Oscars or the Nobel Prize, we suggest that approach to recognition is based on accomplishments, not popularity. These awards don't begin by asking, "Who should win?" — they start by identifying what has been achieved. Only then do they uncover who was behind the work.

The same principle should guide our community recognition:
🏆 Focus first on the contribution, then recognize the contributor.

By starting with accomplishments — impactful projects, community leadership, technical breakthroughs, or efforts that broadened adoption — we ensure that recognition is impact-based, fair, and deeply meaningful. It honors the work itself and shines a light on the individuals or teams who made it possible.

Process Overview

1. Every year, two months ahead of the conference, we distribute a survey to the Open edX community.

2. The survey invites community members to outline the most important accomplishments in the following tracks:

   1. Engineering Excellence
      Outstanding technical contributions, code improvements, or platform enhancements.

   2. Open edX Advocacy and Adoption
      Efforts that helped spread awareness, drive adoption, or improve understanding of the Open edX platform.

   3. Innovation and Impact
      Creative ideas, breakthrough solutions, or new approaches that advanced the Open edX ecosystem.

   4. Rising Stars
      Recognising and supporting new contributors who are already making positive impact

3. Once responses are collected, the Review Panel:

   • Identifies the accomplishments that received the most recognition or impact.

   • Investigates who was behind each accomplishment.

4. The individuals or teams behind these recognized accomplishments are automatically nominated for community awards.

Communication Timeline for the Program 2025

Goal: Raise awareness, inspire participation, and collect meaningful nominations — while reinforcing a culture of recognition in the Open edX community.