Ms Michelle Bachler

I am the Senior Manager for Technical Operations in STEM Technical Services at The Open University. In this role, I support the coordination and delivery of services across our technical teams, helping to align our work with broader priorities and ensuring we continue to provide reliable, high-quality support for teaching, research, and innovation.

Previously, I led the Software Innovation Engineering Services team, where I oversaw the delivery of innovative software solutions that supported research, curriculum and faculty needs across STEM. My team worked with a broad range of technologies, with a focus on cutting-edge design, open collaboration, and practical impact.

I began my career at The Open University as a Java developer and was the original developer of Compendium, a Java-based desktop application for knowledge mapping. Over the years, I’ve led the development of several pioneering platforms, including Cohere, Evidence Hub, Debate Hub, and LiteMap. These tools support online communities, argument mapping, and collaborative deliberation and decision making.

I’ve also played a central role in the Knowledge Media Institute’s exploration of blockchain technologies in education. I’ve set up and maintained multiple blockchain infrastructures, including Ethereum, Parity, and Nethermind networks, and supporting decentralised file storage systems such as IPFS. Alongside colleagues, I’ve developed a range of blockchain-based systems. One of the most notable is the Institute of Coding blockchain badging platform, used by multiple universities to issue digital badges. These badges were validated through both traditional Open Badges standards and as blockchain-backed credentials. The platform also integrated Solid to provide students with personal data stores (pods) containing their awarded badges. This gave them control over their data and supported a more decentralised approach to credentialing and learner data ownership.

My technical expertise spans full-stack software development and engineering across a range of technologies. I’m particularly interested in applying emerging technologies to practical challenges and supporting collaborative, inclusive teams.

More information about some of the platforms mentioned, their development and funding can be found in the STEM Research Archive:

·        Compendium

         ·        Ecosensus

         ·        e-Dance

·        Evidence Hub

·        Cohere

 Information on other tools and projects can be found through the links below:

·         Open BlockChain - Researching the Potential of Blockchains

·         Institute of Coding Badging Platform - A blockchain-backed system for issuing and

           validating digital credentials.

·         IDea Group Tools  - A research group focused on collective intelligence and online

          deliberation.

          ·         Catalyst FP7 Project - An EU-funded initiative developing tools for online debate

                    and social innovation.

          ·         LiteMap - A collaborative tool for visualizing debates and mapping arguments.

          ·         DebateHub - A platform for organizing and prioritizing community discussions.

          ·         CI Dashboard - A visualization tool for analysing conversational and social

                    dynamics in public debates.

Code repositories for some of the above work:

·         IDea Group GitHub - A selection of codebases developed by the IDea research group.

·         KMi Open Blockchain GitHub  - A selection of codebases developed by the

          Open Blockchain research group.