Community and Key Contributors
OpenFlexure is developed by a broad, international community. Alongside the core development team, many people contribute substantial work across hardware and software development, research, documentation, training, manufacturing, and community support.
Contributions to OpenFlexure are not limited to code. Experimental work, mechanical design, electronics, teaching, deployment support, writing, and community building are all essential parts of the project.
Recent and ongoing key contributors include:
This list reflects people who have made sustained or significant contributions, but it is not exhaustive.
The Git history of the OpenFlexure repositories provides a record of many technical contributions, particularly to software, firmware, and documentation. However, many important contributions, including hardware development, experimental characterisation, training, manufacturing, and community engagement, are not captured in version control.
The OpenFlexure community is larger than any single list.
Notable Past Contributors
The OpenFlexure project began at the University of Cambridge, with early development taking place alongside the WaterScope project, before later moving to the University of Bath. Many people across different groups contributed support and ideas during this initial period. Over time, the project has outgrown any single institution and is now maintained by its wider community.
OpenFlexure has benefited from the work of many people over its history. The following individuals made major contributions during earlier phases of the project and helped shape the platform as it exists today.
- Joel Collins
Led the development of the microscope control software up to version 2 of the OpenFlexure Server, and designed the OpenFlexure logo.
- Kaspar Bumke
Played a major role in developing the continuous integration and automation systems that OpenFlexure relies on for testing and maintaining its software and documentation.
- Kerrianne Harrington and Ed Meng
Contributed to the development and experimental characterisation of the OpenFlexure block stage, supporting its use in research and teaching contexts.
- Samuel McDermott
Led much of the development of the OpenFlexure Delta Stage, and contributed to the Blockly client and early voice control interfaces for the OpenFlexure microscope.
We are grateful for the depth and substance of these contributions, which continue to influence the project today.
