Open Access Australasia is excited to invite expressions of interest to join our 2026 Open Access Week Planning Committee.
The committee will meet regularly to create and organise OAA’s events to celebrate OA week 2026, Oct.19-25.
As members of the International Open Access Week organising group, we’ve been closely involved in selecting this year’s theme – a dynamic one with an engaging focus that will be released publicly very soon!
Photo Credit: Hanne Pearce (CC BY 4.0)
Why join?
Excellent professional development through cross-institutional collaboration
Connect with colleagues across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand
Creative input on event topics, programming and speakers
Light commitment: fortnightly 30-minute meetings
Blend of experienced planners and fresh perspectives – new voices always welcome!
This is a wonderful chance to contribute to our shared mission while building your OA networks.
To express interest: Please email contact@oaaustralasia.org with a brief note about your interest and background. We’ll be in touch soon with next steps.
Hear from last year’s committee members:
“Looking back, being part of the organising team for Open Access Week 2025 was extremely rewarding. It offered a chance to help shape a program that sparked meaningful conversations and to collaborate with inspiring colleagues from across universities (Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand) —an experience that truly highlighted the value of a shared commitment to open knowledge.”
Tracy Creagh, QUT.
“I really enjoyed being part of the 2025 OA Week committee, in fact this is the third time I’ve joined the committee. I got to work on a session close to my heart and with two amazing people from two different countries! I also got to meet some of my open access heroes behind the scenes while organising the invited guests!”
Donna Coventry, AUT.
” I have done several OA week events and it’s always a pleasure to work with bright, enthusiastic people with a passion for openness, equity and knowledge. This year’s theme is such an important issue – we need to keep talking about it. The phrase I keep coming back to was when one of our panelists said: “Knowledge is about relationships.””
Richard White, Otago.
“I always look forward to joining the Open Access Week organising committee. Three years in, and every year has given me something different to get excited about. It’s been a brilliant way to meet new people, broaden my network, and grow my leadership skills, all while contributing to impactful, high-quality events.”
Lyndall Holstein, CSU.
“Open Access Week is always on my calendar, and I learn something new every year. Serving on the organising committee this year deepened my appreciation for the planning involved, and collaborating with colleagues across Aotearoa and Australia was the highlight of my year.”
Koichi Inoue, VUW.
“As a total newbie, I found the Open Access Week committee members to be welcoming and supportive. I learned a great deal and I’m eager to join the committee again next year, knowing that I’ll be able to make a greater contribution.”
Cheri Joy, USC.