Public policy is an important component of the environment around OER. Policy can be leveraged to help advance the use and creation of OER by providing resources, creating programs, or giving direction to institutions and schools. It can also be used to remove barriers, such as older systems or practices that favor traditional publishing models. Policymakers themselves can also play a role as effective advocates and validators.
This session will provide a up-to-the minute briefing on the current U.S. policy environment around OER: what is happening in Congress, which states are most active, how this affects the 2016 Presidential election, and where the OER policy space connects with other open movements, such as open data, open government and open access to research. It will also include behind-the-scenes analysis of policy opportunities coming up in the next year, and how members of the audience can become involved.
