The State of the Map Call for Proposals deadline is approaching fast, and I know that feeling - staring at a blank page, wondering if your OSM experience is “conference-worthy.” Here’s the truth: if you’ve ever mapped something, solved a problem with OSM data, or helped someone learn about OpenStreetMap, you have a story worth sharing at State of the Map 2025!

Photo from SotM 2024, CC BY-SA 2.0

What to Present On?

I think that often, the biggest hurdle isn’t writing the proposal - it’s deciding what to propose.

Talk About What You Know: Your OSM Journey

The best State of the Map talks come from personal experience. Think about:

• What tool or technique do you use that others might not know about?
• How has your mapping journey evolved?
• What do you know now that you wish you’d have known when starting?

Share What You Learned the Hard Way

• What OSM challenges have you overcome or are struggling with?
• The workflow you developed after trial and error
• Technical challenges you solved in unexpected ways
• Data quality issues specific to your area and how you addressed them

Consider Your Unique Perspective

• What makes your OSM experience different?
• The local mapping challenge is unique to your community/country/region
• The community-building approach that finally worked
• Creative uses of OSM data in your field and community

Remember: There are no rules and limits (I think 😄). Your proposal can cover ANY aspect of the OSM project - from personal stories and experiences to technical reviews and critiques. Maybe you’ve developed an innovative workflow, created a design breakthrough, or built something cool with OSM data. Perhaps you want to share your mapping process, showcase a real-world use case, or present insights from past projects. You could even explore futuristic ideas and what’s next for OpenStreetMap.

Once you’ve identified a potential topic, it’s time to shape it into a proposal by drafting an abstract and a session title.

Structure Your Abstract

Your abstract is a brief session description - other than this being what SotM attendees will read and make a decision when choosing among concurrent sessions, it’s also what the program committee reads, reviews, and scores. Think of it as a mini-story with four key parts:

1. Start: What’s this about? Open with a statement that immediately tells what your talk covers.
2. Problem: Why does this matter? Identify the challenge, pain point, or gap in knowledge your talk addresses. What struggle have you experienced or observed in the OSM community? Why should people care about this topic?
3. Solution: What’s your unique angle? How did you approach this problem differently? What’s your innovative solution, fresh perspective, or unique insight? This is what sets your talk apart from others on similar topics.
4. End: What will people learn? Be specific about what attendees will gain. Will they learn new techniques? Discover tools? Master a workflow? Leave with actionable insights? This helps attendees (and reviewers) understand the practical value of your session.

Choose Your Session Format

State of the Map offers various session formats to suit different topics and presentation styles.

• Classic talks (20 minutes) are perfect for sharing specific projects, techniques, or experiences - this is the most common format and great for first-time speakers.
• Extended talks (40 minutes) allow for deeper dives into complex topics or comprehensive case studies - choose this if your topic truly needs the extra time.
• Workshops(60 minutes) are hands-on sessions where participants follow along on their devices, which is ideal for teaching practical skills or tools.
• Panels(60 minutes) bring together multiple perspectives on hot topics - consider this format if you want to facilitate discussion rather than present alone.
• There’s also an Academic Track(now OSM Science) for research-focused presentations on OSM, perfect for sharing scholarly work, data analysis, or research findings. Most topics work well as classic talks, so when in doubt, start there!

Tips for First-Time Speakers

• Don’t Do It Alone!

Consider submitting a proposal with a fellow community member or colleague. You can co-present with someone you have collaborated with, a community, or an organisation that has done similar work.

Last year, I worked with Zacharia Muindi, Map Kibera, for an extended talk on a previous collaborative project!

One of the best(at least for me) talks from last year’s conference was On the Ground by Jochen Topf and Frederik Ramm, watch it here.

• Look Back for Inspiration!
  Check what previous accepted sessions looked like. Visit https://stateofthemap.org/ and review past conference programs for inspiration. The archives are full of talks from all experience levels.

• Get feedback
  Ask someone from the community to review your proposal and/or idea.

• Submit!
  Don’t overthink it. Done is better than perfect.

Common Concerns

If these doubts have crossed your mind, you’re not alone:

“I’m not an expert”

You don’t need to be! Fresh perspectives and beginner experiences are valuable.

“My topic seems too basic”

Introductory topics presented help countless newcomers. Your “obvious” knowledge might be someone else’s breakthrough or might spark new ideas.

“I’ve never spoken at a conference”

Your proposal is what counts, not your speaking experience.

“My English isn’t perfect”

The OSM community is global and understands that English isn’t everyone’s first language. Clear communication matters more than perfect grammar.

“I might not be able to travel to Manila”.

State of the Map 2025 is a hybrid event! You can present virtually via pre-recorded video (with live Q&A), participate in virtual panels, and connect with the global community online. Additionally, travel grants are available to help you attend in person; apply here. Distance shouldn’t stop you from sharing your story.

Remember: Your Story Matters

The OpenStreetMap project thrives on diverse voices and experiences. Whether you’re mapping sidewalks in your neighborhood or building complex routing algorithms, your contribution to the conversation is valuable. Photo from SotM 2024, CC BY-SA 2.0

Start drafting this weekend. The deadline will be here before you know it! 😄

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• Call for Proposals Deadline: May 18, 2025
• General track: https://2025.stateofthemap.org/calls/general/
• Academic track: https://2025.stateofthemap.org/calls/osm-science/
• Regional and local SotMs also have calls for proposals open/coming soon (e.g., SotM Africa 2025)

Note: Speaking personally here (not as an OSMF Board member or as a SotM Committee member) - I really want to encourage you to submit your proposal!