2024 Open Education Conference

In our journey towards fostering a more open and equitable Europe, SPARC Europe is embarking on a mission to intertwine the realms of OS and OE to support and build more equitable access to Open knowledge across scores of universities across Europe. We are keen to share the first step in this process. This presentation will allow us to discuss how to lead this change, leveraging strategic planning and capacity building to bridge existing divides and unlock synergies between these two crucial domains. We will do this by mapping stakeholders, documenting similarities and differences between the Opens at universities across Europe to also craft a compelling narrative and business case, and action plan, for a more connected open agenda in the area of Higher Education. We are laying the groundwork for a more integrated future, looking at how we can link bottom-up and top-down initiatives and action in a strategic and operational way.

Attendees of this session will be able to:

• Participants will be able to understand the intrinsic relationship between Open Science and Open Education, recognizing how their integration can amplify accessibility and collaboration in higher education.
• Participants will acquire skills in effective strategic planning methodologies and capacity-building techniques essential for advancing the open agenda within their respective organizations.
• Participants will develop the ability to identify and address organizational barriers hindering the collaboration between Open Science and Open Education, equipping them with practical strategies for fostering integration.
• Participants will gain expertise in stakeholder mapping, enabling them to identify key stakeholders and networks crucial for driving forward the open agenda, and enhancing their ability to navigate diverse institutional landscapes.

College and University Governing Boards and Trustees have fiduciary responsibility for the institutions they serve. What are the responsibilities of college and university trustees and governing boards? What is the best way to communicate and educate them about open educational resources, textbooks, and the impact high-level decisions have on the success of students? Join Dr. Tanya Spilovoy, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges and Jeff Seaman, PhD, Researcher with Bayview Research, to explore the intersection of trusteeship and high-level decision makers’ impact on course materials. How can we work with College and University Governing Boards and Trustees to have a greater impact on awareness and use of open resources? Multiple factors are critical in an approach to Boards and Trustees, and you will be asked to create a strategic plan for board engagement.

Attendees of this session will be able to:

• Talk confidently about the role of governing boards and trustees of a college and/or university.
• Plan an approach and/or communication strategy to inform board members about open educational resources, course materials, textbooks, and the impact on students.
• Understand the data and research regarding board and trustees’ oversight regarding course materials, publishing contracts, funding, or initiatives.
• Engage efficiently and effectively with trustees to communicate about OER