Our Work
The Open Education Association works at the national level to connect, advocate for, and strengthen the open education field across the U.S. Built in partnership with our growing membership, the association’s strategy is grounded in what the community told us they need most: shared infrastructure, greater visibility, and the connective tissue to support open sharing at scale.
Our Strategy
Strategic Objectives
Increase the visibility of open education in key forums that influence decision-makers
Expand investment in open education and access to funding opportunities for creators and practitioners
Build shared infrastructure to support sustainable, scalable open education work
Enhance the recognition of open education as a scholarly practice and professional field
Respond strategically to barriers that hinder open education or reinforce closed systems
Key Areas of Work
Serve as a national voice to promote and advocate for open education in U.S. higher education
Connect and coordinate with people and organizations across the field in service of greater collective outcomes
Offer strategic programming to address needs identified by association members and the broader field
Curate and disseminate information about open education, making it easy to find and use
Become established as a sustainable nonprofit organization
2026 Programming
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A curated and regularly updated collection of resources to help practitioners stay connected and informed — from conference and webinar listings to a getting started guide, state-by-state directory, and more.
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We track policy developments at the state and federal level and advocate for open education through public letters and coalition efforts.
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Led by the Outreach Working Group, the association is expanding open education's presence at conferences and meetings across higher education, supporting members to reach audiences that don't typically encounter open education through travel stipends and exhibits.
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We host a running series of webinars on topics the open education field is actively navigating. Past sessions have covered policy updates and accessibility compliance, and recordings are available.
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In response to strong interest from the field, we are developing a mentorship program to support career growth and peer connection. We anticipate the program launching this fall.
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We are working to expand professional recognition for open education practitioners. We've started by publishing member spotlights, and the Professional Development Working Group is actively shaping what comes next. Stay tuned for updates.
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Members can get involved directly by joining committees and working groups that guide the association's programs and activities.
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The Open Education Association is now the organizer of the Open Education Conference, which will be held on October 27-29, 2026 as a virtual event.