The original promise of an Open Access model of publishing was to make research outcomes available to the public who paid for the research to have taken place through publicly funded research grants. As a result, the movement toward OA publishing has taken on a life of its own as a commercial publishing strategy, driven by many factors.
Yet, how are we actually doing in fulfilling one of the fundamental promises of OA—actually getting research findings into the hands of the public, policymakers, and practitioners in a usable format that actually effects change, rather than just making research findings more accessible to researchers? The two goals are quite different!
This webinar will discuss motivations and models, and present case studies about how to deliver on the promise to make research outcomes truly accessible and actionable. Addressing this “Last Mile” of research communication is critical to informing and empowering those who make policies and laws, who influence responsible corporate and personal behavior, and who help shape public perception.
Moderator:
Alexa Colella, Product Manager, Research Square
Alexa Colella a Product Manager at Research Square Company. Professionally, she is interested in helping researchers improve their work and enable their success throughout the research communication timeline, particularly in how researchers reach lay audiences. Personally, she is committed to helping advance the humanities as a critical part of our broader discourse. She is interested in how scholarly communication initiatives can raise and support all disciplines in tandem.
Speakers:
Chirag “Jay” Patel, Head of Sales (Americas), Cactus Global
Jay is a sales professional with over 20 years of experience in utilizing technology to solve key business challenges in publishing, academia, and life sciences. He is dedicated to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of Quality Education by expanding the reach of science and research, making it more engaging, and increasing accessibility, particularly in the Global South. He is currently the Head of Sales (Americas) at Cactus Global, where he plays a crucial role in making CACTUS’s technology solutions accessible to publishers, societies, and research institutes in the region.
Kara Mitzel, Director of Development, Annual Reviews
Kara Mitzel was appointed Annual Reviews’ first Director of Development in May 2020. Kara works with Annual Reviews’ staff, volunteer leadership, and stakeholders to increase philanthropic support for Annual Reviews’ mission to synthesize and integrate knowledge for the progress of science and the benefit of society. A professional working in the field for 20 years, she has passion for ensuring that researchers, students, and the general public can access and understand expert scientific knowledge.
Debra Rowe, President, Founder and Facilitator, US Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development
Among her many accomplishments and initiatives, Debra is the founder and facilitator of the SDG Publishers Compact Fellows program. President of the US Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development and a professor of sustainable energies, Dr. Rowe is committed to aligning education and research with the Sustainable Development Goals and connecting practitioners with researchers and students for improved curricula, research, career advising and workforce development for the emerging green and sustainable economy. She recently co-authored the Global Guidance Document on Education for Green Jobs with UNEP-YEA and facilitates their Green Jobs Initiative.
Blythe Thomas, Initiative Director, 1,000 Days
Blythe is the Initiative Director at 1,000 Days, an Initiative of FHI Solutions, working to win support for investments in the nutrition and well-being of mothers, babies and toddlers in the U.S. and around the world. Blythe is focused on growing the organization’s influence and shaping the national dialogue with media, policymakers, partner organizations and parents. As the initiative director, she manages fundraising, strategic planning, business development and an amazing team of advocates on issues related to food, nutrition, maternal, infant and young child health and development in the first 1,000 days.
