VIVO Newsletter — May 2025
Michele Mennielli
Dear VIVO Community,
As we wrap up another month of activity and collaboration, we're pleased to share updates from the May Leadership Group meeting and the latest developments across the VIVO project. Read on to learn about ongoing initiatives, important conversations, and how you can get involved.
Highlights
Strategic Discussion: VIVO’s Business Model and Future Services
During the May Leadership Group meeting, the team explored ways to strengthen VIVO’s positioning and long-term sustainability.
Key topics included:
Developing a more targeted value proposition for institutional stakeholders like Deans, CIOs, and librarians
Mapping stakeholder needs
Exploring opportunities around AI-integrated services and research narrative generation
Identifying potential funding paths such as private foundations and state programs
These conversations will help shape future service models and outreach strategies.
Updates from the Community
VIVO Development Progress
Dragan, the VIVO Tech Lead, reported significant progress toward the next VIVO release. A major feature has been added. This feature enables the configuration of browse page content through customizable filters. . The custom browse page can be configured through the VIVO UI via the page management interface. Accessibility improvements are underway. Moreover, features of branding VIVO and customization of layout through UI are under development.
The next minor release of VIVO (version 1.16.0) is scheduled for September 2025, following the completion of ongoing development and comprehensive testing. . Keep an eye on Slack and the wiki for announcements.
ORCID Integration Project
Contracting for the ORCID Global Participation Fund project is nearly complete, with an official start planned for July 1.
Community members from CINECA and VIVO Brazil shared experiences around bidirectional ORCID integration and data workflows — valuable insights that will support the project's development.
Improving Community Engagement
The Leadership Group also discussed ways to increase input from the broader community, especially in gathering user stories. If you have a need, idea, or feature request — share it with us!
User stories help guide development priorities and improve VIVO’s impact across different institutions.
VIVO in the Spotlight
AI and Linked Data in Italy
Stefano Pinelli, a VIVO Governance Member, shared insights from CINECA’s work with linked data, ontologies, and AI integration.
Their experience building a rich, externally linked data model — now powering services across the Italian academic system — highlighted VIVO’s potential for future-ready, interoperable infrastructure.
Upcoming Events
EFS Forum 2025
VIVO is participating as a sponsor in the Expert Finder Systems International Forum this September.
The event is expected to be held virtually, making it easier for community members to join.
VIVO will contribute to a panel discussion on research information systems and open infrastructure.
7th German VIVO Workshop (Save the Date)
Mark your calendars for the 7th (German) VIVO Workshop, taking place on 24–25 September 2025 at TIB – Leibniz Information Centre for Science and Technology in Hannover, Germany. The event will bring together VIVO implementers, developers, and research information professionals for two days of exchange and collaboration.
Stay Connected
As always, thank you for your continued involvement and support. Your ideas and feedback are essential to VIVO’s growth.
To learn more, connect with us on vivoweb.org, join the conversation on Slack, or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Thank you for your continued engagement and remember, the more we are, the better: Join the Community, any contribution counts!
GO VIVO!
— The VIVO Team