Virginia Clinton-Lisell, Associate Professor in Educational Foundations and Research at University of North Dakota and lead researcher of the Open Education Group, will visit KU’s Lawrence campus to deliver a public lecture about her research on Open Education, at 10 a.m., March 14, in Watson Library 3 West.  

Open Educational Resources (OER) are openly licensed teaching and learning materials accessible to anyone at no cost. Clinton-Lisell’s presentation entitled, "The Power of Open Education: Research-Based Insights on Open Licensing in the Classroom," will focus on the impact that OER can have on teaching and learning outcomes, and the assessment needed to determine impact. 

Prior to Clinton-Lisell’s presentation, the libraries’ Shulenburger Office of Scholarly Communication & Copyright will announce the 2025 Textbook Hero, an honor presented to a member of the KU community who has taken extraordinary initiative to increase access to and affordability of required course materials by implementing and advocating for OER and other low and no cost course materials.  

The special guest, and award presentation, follow Open Education Week, a week-long global event which aims to raise awareness, showcase initiatives, and celebrate the impact of open education on teaching and learning worldwide.