Celebrate Open Education Week March 2-6, 2026
Invited speaker, new instructor award support open future for all learners
Happy Open Education Week (OEWeek)! We are proud to take part in this annual celebration through two exciting initiatives this week that advance the library’s shared commitment to equitable, affordable, and inclusive education: the 2026 AggieOpen Invited Speaker event on March 3 and the launch of the $2,000 AggieOpen Open Course Materials Award for UC Davis faculty and continuing lecturers.
2026 Invited Speaker Katie Healey
Join us on Tuesday, March 3 (via Zoom) for our OEWeek featured talk by invited speaker Katie Healey, From Free to Usable: The Accessibility Promise of OER. This event is free and open to all — we invite faculty, staff, students, and community members to register and join the conversation.
Healey, founder of the A11Y Project and host of the Disability Daily Podcast, brings a disability justice framework to the evolving landscape of open education. Through her work with the University of California Office of the President, she supports more than 120 instructors across all 10 UC campuses in meeting digital accessibility standards.
Healey’s talk will explore how digital accessibility, Universal Design for Learning, and upcoming ADA Title II requirements align with the broader mission of open education. Healey will also highlight how Open Educational Resources (OER) are not only about cost savings—they are about usability, flexibility, and ensuring that all students can meaningfully engage with course content.
AggieOpen Open Course Materials Award
UC Davis faculty and continuing lecturers are invited to apply for our new AggieOpen Open Course Materials Award! This $2,000 one-time award recognizes instructors who adopt, adapt, create, or curate Open Educational Resources (OER) for undergraduate courses.
Award recipients also receive dedicated consultation and support from our AggieOpen team, and guidance on copyright, licensing, accessibility, hosting, and assessment. Courses do not need to use exclusively open materials. Learn more about the award process and contact us with questions at aggieopen@ucdavis.edu.
Building a More Open and Inclusive Future
Open Education Week reminds us that openness is not only about removing price tags—it is about expanding possibilities.
By centering accessibility and supporting instructors through the AggieOpen Open Course Materials Award, the UC Davis Library is investing in a future where course materials are affordable, inclusive, and designed for all learners.
We hope you will join us on March 3 and consider how AggieOpen can support your teaching.