In 2020, at a time when the world was forced to reimagine how knowledge travels across borders, a group of researchers, librarians, and cultural advocates in Pakistan asked a bold question:
"What if the Global South didn't just consume global knowledge—but actively shaped how science, scientific infrastructures, culture, and scholarship are shared with the world?"
That question became the spark behind XploreOpen. From day one, we've believed that openness is more than access—it's equity, participation, and the power to contribute. We envisioned a world where the discoveries of researchers in Pakistan, the stories preserved in our archives, and the cultural heritage of our communities are as discoverable and valued as any in the world.
Our work has grown into a mission focused on five interwoven pillars:
XploreOpen has become a vibrant hub where advocates, researchers, and cultural professionals come together to innovate and redefine openness—both locally and globally.
We invite collaborators, funders, and open science practitioners to partner with us—let's build sustainable infrastructures, empower communities, and make knowledge equitable for all.
We advocate for open licensing and digital preservation of scholarly and cultural outputs, ensuring global accessibility and reuse.
We unite institutions, researchers, artists, and technologists to co-create tools and policies that advance openness in science and culture.
We develop resources and training that help learners integrate open science and heritage into research, teaching, and civic life.
We promote transparent, ethical research—encouraging sharing of data, methods, and findings across disciplines including underserved fields.
We help institutions adopt sustainable infrastructure that connects them to global scholarly ecosystems, ensuring participation and discoverability.
Founder | CEO | Executive Director
Joined XO:2020
Based in: Karachi, Pakistan
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Imtiaz Subhani, PhD (Quantum Finance) and Postdoc (Open Science, UFG Brazil), is a leading voice in the global Open Science movement and a champion of integrity in scholarly communication. A recipient of the Web of Science Vision Award (2015), he serves as Professor & Director of Postgraduate Studies & Research at ILMA University. Dr. Subhani wears many influential hats — DOAJ Ambassador & Editor, Crossref Ambassador, FORCE11 Director, and Lead of Creative Commons Pakistan. He also advises UNESCO on Open Science policy, consults as a World Bank IP specialist, and serves as Editor at PLOS ONE. With 100+ publications and 14 funded Open Science projects, he co-founded XploreOpen, an innovative startup supported by CC, ORCID, and DataCite, and currently leads outreach projects for ORCID and DataCite (2025–2026).
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Co-founder | Managing Director
Joined XploreOpen: 2020
Based in: Pakistan
Amber Osman works at the intersection of open science, scholarly communication,
and research infrastructure, driving initiatives that advance openness, transparency,
and equity worldwide.
She contributes to global efforts through organizations such as DOAJ, COPE,
Creative Commons, PREreview, Crossref, ORCID,
DataCite, UNESCO, and the World Bank.
As Co-founder of XploreOpen — a global and local movement for open research — Amber champions
systems that bridge innovation, integrity, and accessibility across research communities,
empowering collaboration and inclusive knowledge exchange.
Senior Technical Specialist
Joined XploreOpen: 2021
Based in: Karachi, Pakistan
15+ years leading design across Consumer, Telehealth, AdTech, and SaaS. Shipped platforms driving $1B+ in ad spend and $50M+ ARR at Zynga, LiveRamp, ShareThis, and Mochi Health. Expert in scaled systems and aligning UX to business growth.
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Communication Specialist
Joined XploreOpen: 2021
Based in: Karachi, Pakistan
Founder of Hena's Blog for Paws, passionate animal activist, and blogger advocating for animal rights. Recognized as an Animal Whisperer, she promotes compassion and positive change toward animal welfare.
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Community Engagement Manager
Joined XploreOpen: 2022
Based in: Lahore, Pakistan
Plays a vital role in connecting researchers, institutions, and communities through innovative engagement strategies that support open science collaboration.
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Technical Coordinator
Joined XploreOpen: 2023
Based in: Karachi, Pakistan
Abdul Sami Khan is a Computer Systems student at UIT University with expertise in
cybersecurity, networking, and graphic design.
He has earned certifications from Cisco and Google in networking and cybersecurity,
along with a Graphic Designing certification from SMIT, expanding his technical and creative skill set.
Passionate about technology and innovation, Abdul combines analytical thinking with creative design
to approach problem-solving from multiple perspectives. His interests include network infrastructure,
system security, and digital creativity. He is committed to continuous learning and applying
his skills to contribute meaningfully to the tech community.
Full Stake Developer | Data Base Specialist
Joined XploreOpen: 2023
Based in: Karachi, Pakistan
Vania Anis is a driven individual currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Computer Science.
She has further strengthened her expertise through certifications in Full Stack Web Development,
UI/UX Design, and Database Specialization from Aptech.
This combination of academic knowledge and hands-on training has equipped her with a strong technical and design foundation,
enabling her to approach projects with both creativity and precision.
Vania aims to leverage her skills to innovate, build intuitive digital experiences,
and excel as a Full Stack Developer and Technical Coordinator at XploreOpen.
Project Coordinator
Joined XploreOpen: 2023
Based in: Karachi, Pakistan
Ammar Shakeel is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Artificial Intelligence (BS-AI) from Ilma University,
with a strong foundation in project management, AI technologies, and coding.
Certified in Project Management by Google, Ammar combines organizational insight with technical problem-solving
to ensure smooth project execution and innovation within teams.
Passionate about artificial intelligence and software development, he explores how intelligent systems can
transform industries and improve efficiency. Ammar enjoys designing practical solutions, writing efficient code, and leading
collaborative projects that merge creativity with technology.
He currently serves as the Technical Coordinator at XploreOpen, contributing to the planning, execution,
and management of technical initiatives aimed at empowering young innovators and fostering a collaborative learning community.
At XploreOpen, we are honored to be guided by a diverse and distinguished Advisory Board whose expertise spans open science, scholarly communication, cultural heritage, digital infrastructure, and policy development. Their insights shape our vision and ensure our work remains impactful and globally connected.
Palaeontologist | Scholarly Publishing Expert
Faculty of Science and Technology,
University of Debrecen | Director of Global Content, Reviewer Credits
Prof. Gareth Dyke is an internationally recognized palaeontologist and science communicator with extensive experience in both academic research and scholarly publishing. Formerly based at University College Dublin, he currently serves at the University of Debrecen, Hungary, and is also the Director of Global Content for Reviewer Credits. Gareth has published over 300 scientific papers and works passionately to promote best practices in open science, peer review, and research integrity worldwide.
Professor of Marketing and Administration
School of Administration, Economics and
Accounting (FACE), Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Brazil
Prof. Ricardo Limongi is a distinguished academic in Marketing and Administration at UFG, Brazil. He has contributed significantly to research in consumer behavior, strategic marketing, and innovation management. Active in promoting open research practices in Brazil, he brings valuable insights into bridging academic research with practical applications across Latin America.
Professor of Information Science | Open Science Advocate
State University of Maringá
(UEM), Brazil | Ambassador, Crossref
Prof. Edilson Damasio is a respected scholar at UEM, Brazil. As a Crossref Ambassador, he promotes open scholarly infrastructure, persistent identifiers, and metadata best practices. His research focuses on digital repositories and strategies to advance open science in Brazil and beyond.
International Relations & Policy Expert | Higher Education Leader
Commonwealth
University
Prof. Dilip has held various senior academic and administrative roles. His work focuses on international education, capacity building, and open education across developing countries, contributing to sustainable partnerships and equitable knowledge exchange.
Higher Education Leader | Policy Advisor
Federal Higher Education Commission (HEC),
Pakistan
Prof. Nazeer is a key figure in Pakistan's higher education landscape. He offers guidance on national quality assurance, open access initiatives, and digital infrastructure alignment with XploreOpen's mission.
Economist | Higher Education Quality Expert
Former Managing Director (MD), Quality
Assurance, HEC Pakistan
Prof. Nadia Tahir has led national policy for academic quality at HEC. She champions OERs, evidence-based decision-making, and inclusive research infrastructure to promote open access in Pakistan and beyond.