Unlocking the Power of Open Scholarship: An Exciting Opportunity for Stanley Park High School
In the ever-evolving landscape of education and research, the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) is leading the charge towards a more open and collaborative future. As part of this initiative, CARL is inviting applications for a Visiting Program Officer (VPO) focused on the exciting realm of Open Scholarship. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a Canadian research librarian to make a significant impact on the future of education and research, and we at Stanley Park High School are thrilled to share this exciting news with our community.
What is CARL?
CARL is the national voice of Canada’s twenty-nine largest university libraries and two federal institutions. As a bilingual, not-for-profit organization, CARL coordinates national initiatives across its member institutions and promotes their causes to achieve excellence in research and higher education. CARL’s mission is to advance research and higher education through the creation, dissemination, and preservation of knowledge.
The Visiting Program Officer Role
The Visiting Program Officer (VPO) for Open Scholarship will work for CARL for the equivalent of one day per week for a period of at least one year. This is a unique opportunity for a research librarian to contribute to national initiatives and gain valuable experience in leading change.
The VPO will play a crucial role in advancing CARL’s strategic goals, as outlined in their recent publication, “Towards Open Scholarship: A Canadian Research and Academic Library Action Plan to 2025.” This plan lays out a multi-pronged approach to the development and implementation of open science policy and practices, and the VPO will be at the forefront of these initiatives.
Key Responsibilities of the VPO
The VPO for Open Scholarship will take a leading role in a suite of open scholarship initiatives, including:
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Diamond and Green Open Access Models: The VPO will work to promote and support the development of sustainable open access publishing models, ensuring that research outputs are freely accessible to all.
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Institutional Repositories: The VPO will collaborate with the network of institutional repositories across Canada, exploring ways to enhance their role in the open scholarship ecosystem.
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Research Data Management: The VPO will work towards a more integrated approach to research data management, aligning with the evolving open science landscape.
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Stakeholder Engagement: The VPO will engage with a broad base of open scholarship stakeholders beyond the library community, fostering collaboration and driving progress.
In addition to these key responsibilities, the VPO will attend CARL’s Advancing Research Committee meetings and work closely with a CARL Senior Program Officer under the direction of CARL’s Executive Director.
Benefits for the VPO and the Home Institution
The Visiting Program Officer role offers numerous benefits for both the individual and their home institution. For the VPO, this experience will provide an opportunity to broaden their knowledge and expertise in the field of open scholarship, as well as gain valuable leadership experience in national initiatives. The home institution, in turn, will benefit from the VPO’s enhanced skills and knowledge, which can be leveraged to drive forward their own open scholarship initiatives.
Criteria and Application Process
CARL is seeking a Canadian research librarian with a professional interest and broad-based expertise in Open Scholarship. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong leadership skills, a proven track record of involvement in relevant initiatives, and the full support of their library director.
If there are multiple candidates who meet the criteria, the selection process may involve an interview. To apply, interested candidates should send their CV and an introductory email or letter outlining their suitability for the role and confirming their library director’s support for the nomination and the proposed arrangement.
Why is Open Scholarship Important?
Open Scholarship, a term that encompasses both Open Access and Open Science, represents a fundamental shift in the way research and educational resources are created, shared, and accessed. This approach aims to make scholarly outputs, such as publications, data, and educational materials, freely available to anyone with an internet connection.
The benefits of Open Scholarship are far-reaching and can have a profound impact on our school community. By removing barriers to access, Open Scholarship democratizes knowledge, empowering learners and researchers alike to engage with cutting-edge ideas and discoveries. This, in turn, can lead to accelerated innovation, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the ability to tackle complex global challenges more effectively.
At Stanley Park High School, we recognize the transformative potential of Open Scholarship. By embracing this approach, we can ensure that our students and faculty have access to the latest research and educational resources, regardless of their economic or geographic circumstances. This aligns with our school’s mission to provide an exceptional, well-rounded education that prepares our students to thrive in the 21st century.
How Can Our Community Get Involved?
As an educational institution, Stanley Park High School is committed to supporting and promoting Open Scholarship initiatives. We encourage our teachers, students, and parents to stay informed about the latest developments in this field and to engage with CARL’s Visiting Program Officer for Open Scholarship.
One way to get involved is by following the progress of the VPO’s work and the ongoing initiatives of CARL. You can visit the CARL website (https://www.carl-abrc.ca/) to learn more about their activities and stay up-to-date on the latest news and events related to Open Scholarship.
Additionally, we invite our community members to share their own experiences, insights, and ideas related to Open Scholarship. By fostering a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing, we can collectively contribute to the advancement of this important movement.
Conclusion
The CARL Visiting Program Officer for Open Scholarship represents an exciting opportunity to shape the future of education and research. By embracing the principles of Open Scholarship, we can empower our students, faculty, and the broader community to access and contribute to the wealth of knowledge that exists in the world.
At Stanley Park High School, we are thrilled to be a part of this journey and we encourage our community to engage with this initiative. Together, we can unlock the power of Open Scholarship and create a more equitable, collaborative, and innovative educational landscape.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the school. We are here to support you and to help you navigate the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.
