Our Board
Dr Joseph Crawford
President
A/Prof Michael Cowling
Vice President and Director, Technology
Mr David Kewley CA
Treasurer
Dr Jo-Anne Kelder
Director, Partnerships
Dr Harold Culala
Secretary
Dr Alison Purvis
Director, Education
Dr Prue Laidlaw
Director, Memberships (Interim)
Committees
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee includes:
- Dr Joseph Crawford (Chair)
- Dr Harold Culala
- A/Prof Michael Cowling
- Mr David Kewley
Partnership Committee
The Partnership Committee includes:
- Dr Jo-Anne Kelder (Chair)
- Dr Dongmei Li (Secretary)
- Dr Joseph Crawford
- Dr Harold Culala
- Mr David Kewley
Technology Committee
The Technology Committee includes:
- A/Prof Michael Cowling (Chair)
- Mr Nat Enright (Secretary)
- Nicholas Alcorso
- Mr Darryl Clare
Educational Committee
The Education Committee includes:
- Dr Alison Purvis (Chair)
- Dr Alisa Percy
- Dr Victoria Nicholas
- Professor Louise Taylor
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee includes:
- Dr Prue Laidlaw (Chair)
- Mr Alistair Chong
- Dr Florence Ng
- Dr Joseph Crawford (ex-officio)
Volunteer Leadership Vacancies (2026)
The Open Access Publishing Association (OAPA) is building a secure, sustainable, not-for-profit publishing infrastructure designed to support diamond open access journals globally. As commercial consolidation continues across scholarly publishing, OAPA plays a critical role in safeguarding editorial independence, strengthening community-led governance, and ensuring that academic knowledge remains openly accessible. Our volunteer leaders contribute directly to shaping a resilient publishing ecosystem grounded in integrity, transparency, and sector-wide collaboration.
We invite expressions of interest for the following volunteer leadership roles for 2026. These roles support the strategic development, governance, education, technology, and global partnerships of OAPA.
Key Dates
- Close of applications: 30 April 2026
- Interview and assessment period: 1 May – 31 May 2026
- Finalisation period: 1 June – 30 June 2026
Available Roles
We are interested in recruiting into the following Committee roles. These roles will be shaped with the successful applicant and their expertise, however, Committees meet by Zoom every two months, and a weekly commitment of 1-2 hours is anticipated, with some scaffolded flexibility (particularly for those teaching during Semesters):
- Secretary and Director. Responsible for supporting Board governance, maintaining official records, coordinating meetings, and contributing to strategic oversight as a member of the Board of Directors. The Secretary can only be formally appointed at an Annual General Meeting, so they would begin as an Interim Director.
- Secretary, Membership Committee. Supports coordination of membership records, onboarding processes, and committee paperwork within the Membership Committee.
- Social Media Lead, Membership Committee. Leads digital engagement strategies to grow OAPA membership, promote initiatives, and enhance online visibility across professional platforms.
- Learning Design Lead, Education Committee. Oversees the digital development of OAPA’s educational offerings, including short courses and professional development programs.
- Technical Support Lead, Technology Committee. Provides guidance on platform maintenance, system troubleshooting, and technical infrastructure supporting OAPA journals and events.
- Network Security Lead, Technology Committee. Advises on cybersecurity, data protection, and best practice governance for digital publishing systems and member data.
- Europe/UK Partnership Lead, Partnerships and Publishing Committee. Develops and strengthens institutional and publishing partnerships across Europe and the United Kingdom.
- Grants Lead, Partnerships and Publishing Committee. Identifies funding opportunities and supports the preparation of grant applications aligned with OAPA’s strategic objectives.
How to Apply
Applications should include:
- A short CV (1–2 pages)
- A one-page cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role
Please send applications to: memberships@open-publishing.org
All roles are voluntary and offer an opportunity to contribute to the advancement of diamond open access publishing through collaborative leadership and sector impact.