New grant to make research more open to doctoral researchers

A project which will expand the current global network of doctoral researchers worldwide has received £446,000 from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

The grant will develop the Global Open Educational Resources (OER) Graduate Network (GO-GN), which has demonstrated success in developing the post graduate research student community in the field of open education through seminars linked to relevant global events and a series of online events and community building activities.

The project, led by Martin Weller, Professor of Educational Technology, proposes to develop GO-GN in the following key areas:

1. Expand the number of researchers who can participate
2. Increase the reputation and reach of the network
3. Act as conduit for OER research, promoting and distilling relevant work
4. Increase diversity and inclusion in the network

The project will seek to expand the current network of doctoral researchers by continuing to run annual seminars, monthly webinars and producing resources for the OER research community. It also aims to make greater use of its alumni network, working on co-productions. The project will recruit more members from the global south by targeting specific conferences and offering fellowships.

Professor Weller said: “This project is a joy to work on. For many of our researchers they will be the only person interested in OER in their institution and connecting to the GO-GN is invaluable in completing their research.

“Over the previous three years we have seen the network expand and its reputation grow. Many of the network’s alumni are now prominent figures in the OER community. The support and encouragement they find amongst their peers through our work is helping to shape the community and remains a valued part of their lives.”

Read more about OU research into Open Education