Open-Ed Mic is your go-to podcast for fresh ideas, practical guidance, and inspiring stories about open education—subscribe now on your favorite podcast app and join a community committed to transforming teaching and learning through openness. Your hosts—Kevin Corcoran, Zach Claybaugh, Brittany Dudek, and Michael A. Mills—bring decades of combined expertise in digital learning, library science, student-success initiatives, and strategic leadership at state and national levels. They’ve shaped policy, driven impactful OER initiatives, and passionately championed quality, affordability, and accessibility in higher education. Tune in for candid conversations, cutting-edge research, and real-world success stories that will inspire you to champion open education in your own institution.
Site
RSS
Apple
Data updated on 14/07/2026
Recent rankings
Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.
Shared links between episodes and podcasts
Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.
In this episode of Open-Ed Mic, the hosts chat with Dr. Virginia Clinton-Lisell, associate professor of Education, Health, and Behavior at the University of North Dakota, about her research on open educational resources, digital learning and student outcomes. She explains how teaching large introductory psychology courses led her to study OER after student concerns about textbook costs and publisher pressure.
Dr. Clinton-Lisell shares findings showing comparable learning outcomes between open and commercial textbooks, along with lower withdrawal rates for students using OER. The conversation highlights accessibility issues in inclusive access platforms and encourages faculty to use evidence-based approaches when selecting instructional materials.
Dr. Virginia Clinton-Lisell began her career in education as an ESL teacher in New York City. She then obtained her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with a minor in Cognitive Science at the University of Minnesota where she was trained in educational research. She has published more than 60 articles in education research and teaches courses in education research, program evaluation, and psychological foundations of education. Her current research focuses on the psychology of reading comprehension and open education. She is a primary researcher for the Open Education Group, which sponsors a fellowship for early career researchers.
Follow Dr. Virginia Clinton-Lisell on LinkedIn
Dr. Virginia Clinton-Lisell
Associate Professor of Education, Health, and Behavior
University of North Dakota
About Open-Ed Mic
Explore our Open-Ed Mic podcast for practical guidance and inspiring stories about open education. Discover how to incorporate OER materials into your course while connecting with a community dedicated to transforming teaching and learning through openness.
Meet Your Hosts
Your hosts—
Kevin Corcoran ,
Zach Claybaugh ,
Brittany Dudek , and
Dr. Michael A. Mills —bring decades of combined expertise as prominent thought leaders in open educational resources (OER) within higher education. With extensive backgrounds spanning digital learning, library science, student success initiatives, and strategic leadership at state and national levels, they have collectively shaped policies, driven impactful initiatives, and advocated passionately for increased access to education. Their collaborative approach highlights their deep commitment to advancing open education practices, ensuring quality, affordability, and accessibility for learners everywhere.
In this episode of Open-Ed Mic, the hosts chat with Daniel Williamson of OpenStax, who shares his unexpected journey into open education and reflects on how the movement has evolved from modular learning objects to widely adopted open textbooks. He discusses how OpenStax has expanded access to affordable, high-quality learning materials for millions of students, while also grappling with a rapidly shifting educational landscape. From declining textbook engagement to the rise of AI and immersive technologies, Williamson highlights the growing need to rethink how course materials are designed, delivered, and experienced by today’s learners.
The conversation explores the future of open education as more flexible, personalized, and engagement-driven. Williamson emphasizes the importance of trusted, high-quality content in an AI-driven world and calls for stronger collaboration and sustainability within the open education community. He also points to emerging opportunities in modular learning, workforce-aligned credentials, and reimagined general education. Ultimately, the episode underscores a central challenge—and opportunity—for open education: creating dynamic, relevant learning experiences that prioritize student success while preserving the values of openness and access.
Download Transcript: TXT
About our Guest
Daniel Williamson is a leader in open education and currently oversees the OpenStax initiative at Rice University, one of the most widely used open educational resource (OER) programs in the world. Under Williamson’s leadership, OpenStax has grown from a small startup into a global force, providing freely available, openly licensed textbooks and learning technologies to millions of students each month while saving learners hundreds of millions of dollars in textbook costs. He has guided the organization’s strategic growth, expanded its partnerships across nonprofit and commercial sectors, and helped build a sustainable ecosystem that supports innovation in affordable learning.
Williamson’s work focuses on advancing access, affordability, and innovation in education. He played a key role in securing philanthropic and legislative support for OER, including efforts that have influenced statewide adoption of open textbooks.
Daniel Williamson
About Open-Ed Mic
Meet Your Hosts
Faculty Recognition within Open
Season 1 · Episode 8
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 • Duration 43:21
In this episode of Open-Ed Mic, the hosts welcome Andrew McKinney, University Director of Research and Publishing Strategies at the City University of New York (CUNY) and a leading advocate for aligning institutional policies with open education. The conversation centers on the tension between open educational practices and traditional tenure and promotion systems, which often reward research outputs more readily than innovative teaching. McKinney reflects on his work with the DOERS (Driving OER Sustainability for Student Success) community, including a project that compiled case studies demonstrating how faculty have incorporated open educational resource (OER) work into tenure and promotion portfolios. The discussion highlights how faculty interest in OER is often tempered by concerns about whether such work will be recognized or valued within existing academic reward structures.
The conversation also addresses emerging pressures in higher education, particularly the growing focus on generative AI, and how faculty can navigate competing institutional priorities. McKinney encourages educators to pursue the work they believe best supports their students and their teaching values rather than chasing short-lived trends. Ultimately, he frames OER not only as a tool for reducing textbook costs but as a pathway toward open pedagogy, where students become active participants in creating knowledge. Looking ahead, McKinney imagines a future in which institutions more fully recognize teaching, openness, and student empowerment as central to the mission of higher education.
Andrew McKinney is the Director of Research and Publishing Strategies and Open Educational Resources (OER) Coordinator for the City University of New York (CUNY). He leads system-wide initiatives that support open education, scholarly publishing, and innovative teaching practices across CUNY’s campuses. Andrew is a recognized advocate for aligning tenure and promotion systems with open and equitable teaching, and has contributed to national conversations through his work with the DOERS (Driving OER Sustainability for Student Success) community. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the CUNY Graduate Center.
Andrew McKinney
About Open-Ed Mic
Meet Your Hosts
Navigating the Future of Open Education and AI
Season 1 · Episode 7
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 • Duration 47:30
In this episode of OpenEd Mic, the hosts welcome Dr. David Wiley, a pioneer of the open education movement and creator of the Five Rs of Openness, for a thoughtful conversation about how open education and generative AI are converging. David shares his origin story, tracing his early realization in the late 1990s that digital technologies fundamentally changed how knowledge can be shared—and why open licenses were essential to making that sharing legal, scalable, and equitable.
The discussion centers on how the Five Rs—retain, reuse, revise, remix, and redistribute—remain highly relevant in an AI-driven world. David explains how these principles can be applied not only to open educational resources, but also to large language models themselves, from modifying model weights to fine-tuning AI with new data. The group also tackles faculty concerns around copyright, legality, and fears of displacement, with David emphasizing that AI should support—not replace—the relational, trust-based work that sits at the heart of teaching.
Looking ahead, the episode challenges educators to move beyond using AI to simply generate static, textbook-like content. Instead, David encourages a shift toward AI as a conversational learning partner that enables dialogue, exploration, and embedded assessment. The conversation ends on an optimistic note, highlighting the creativity and commitment of the open education community.
Dr. David Wiley is an associate professor at Marshall University, co-chair of the university’s AI Steering Committee, and a founding leader of the open education movement. His work sits at the intersection of generative AI, open education, instructional design, entrepreneurship, and student success. He is the creator of the Five Rs of Openness and a co-founder of organizations including Lumen Learning and Degreed. Dr. Wiley has received numerous national recognitions for his academic and entrepreneurial work and continues to shape the future of open and AI-enabled learning.
Social Media Handles:
@opencontent on Twitter, https://www.linkedin.com/in/opencontent/ on LinkedIn and
@kalendar on Github.
David Wiley, Ph.D.
About Open-Ed Mic
Meet Your Hosts
Reflections On the 2025 Open Education Conference
Season 1 · Episode 6
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 • Duration 39:16
In this episode of OpenEd Mic, the hosts reflect on their experiences attending the Open Education Conference 2025 in Denver, sharing insights from sessions, hallway conversations, and reconnecting with colleagues across the open education community.
The conversation explores the benefits and challenges of the conference’s hybrid format, with thoughtful discussion around accessibility, engagement, and how in-person energy shapes collaboration. The hosts identify several recurring themes from the conference, including the growing role of artificial intelligence in open education, the shift from affordability-only narratives toward demonstrating student outcomes and impact, and an increasing focus on accessibility in response to upcoming federal requirements.
They also highlight standout sessions on workforce development, data-driven storytelling, open pedagogy in STEM, and large-scale research demonstrating the impact of OER across institution types. Beyond formal sessions, the hosts emphasize the value of informal conversations—building community, sharing challenges, and welcoming new voices into the open education space.
The episode concludes with reflections on what lies ahead for open education, including global collaboration, deeper integration of OER into institutional practice, and the potential for AI-supported tools to lower barriers to creation and accessibility. Together, the discussion paints an optimistic picture of a growing, evolving, and resilient open education community.
Explore our Open-Ed Mic podcast for practical guidance and inspiring stories about open education. Discover how to incorporate OER materials into your course while connecting with a community dedicated to transforming teaching and learning through openness.
Meet Your Hosts
Open Ed, Open Ped and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Season 1 · Episode 5
Thursday, December 11, 2025 • Duration 35:29
In this episode of Open Ed Mic, host Dr. Michael Mills is joined by co-hosts Kevin Corcoran and Zach Klebaugh to welcome special guest Shinta Hernandez, Dean of MC Online and Academic Support at Montgomery College and recent OE Global Individual Leader of the Year award recipient. Shinta shares her origin story in open education, rooted in confronting inequities she witnessed firsthand in her sociology classrooms. Her pursuit of textbook affordability eventually led her to Montgomery College’s OER and Z-Degree initiatives, where open education is framed not just as a cost-saving measure but as a commitment to social justice, student empowerment, and high-quality instructional design.
The conversation explores how Montgomery College has expanded its MC Open initiative, how open pedagogy fosters agency among learners, and why interdisciplinary and cross-institutional collaboration is essential for solving global challenges. Shinta and Mike discuss the creation and rapid international growth of the UNSDG Open Pedagogy Faculty Fellowship, now spanning multiple continents and institutional partners. They highlight the program’s unique model, which pairs faculty across disciplines—and even across countries—to design renewable assignments aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Shinta shares memorable successes from the fellowship, including student projects that gained community impact and even inspired career changes.
The episode concludes with a look toward the future, examining the emerging intersection of OER and artificial intelligence, the need for continued professional development, and the importance of collaborative communities of practice prepared to navigate an evolving digital landscape.
About our Guest
Dr. Shinta Hernandez is the Dean of MC Online and Academic Support at Montgomery College, providing leadership in online education, open education, and the Digital Learning Center. Shinta leads efforts to advance work in open education and open pedagogy, social justice and equity, inclusive curriculum, faculty professional development, international collaborations, online education, and the social science disciplines. She leads the UNSDG Open Pedagogy Faculty Fellowship that has grown into an international collaboration across the United States and Canada. Recent partnerships have included schools in the Caribbean and in Asia.
Shinta H. Hernandez, Ph.D
About Open-Ed Mic
Meet Your Hosts
Open Ed and Tribal Colleges and Universities
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 • Duration 34:40
In this episode of Open-Ed Mic, the conversation centers around the role of open education in tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), featuring insights from Amy Chen, the program director for open education at the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AHEC). The discussion highlights the unique characteristics of TCUs, the importance of culturally relevant educational resources, and the challenges faced in implementing open education initiatives. The episode emphasizes the need for community engagement, the integration of indigenous knowledge, and the future potential of open education to benefit both tribal and non-tribal communities.
About our Guest
Amy Chen is the Program Director for Open Education at the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), where she leads initiatives to strengthen open education across Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). In this role, she works to expand access to culturally relevant, high-quality, and affordable learning resources through the integration of open educational resources (OER), faculty development, and collaborative networks. With a deep commitment to capacity building and community-driven approaches that honor Indigenous knowledge systems, Amy has been instrumental in connecting TCUs to national and international open education movements, ensuring their voices shape the future of equitable and inclusive learning.
Making the Case for Open Education: Community and Policy
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 • Duration 50:57
In this episode of Open-Ed Mic, hosts Zach, Brittany, and Kevin engage with Jonathan Lashley, an advocate for open education. Jonathan shares his journey from being a student to becoming an academic technology program manager, emphasizing the importance of open educational resources (OER) and practices. The conversation explores the evolution of open education, the significance of community building, and the challenges of navigating educational policies. Jonathan also discusses the intersection of AI and open education, highlighting the need for responsible integration of technology in teaching and learning.
About our Guest
Dr. Jonathan Lashley is an accomplished educator, strategist, and national leader in the open education community. He currently serves as the Associate Chief Academic Officer for the Idaho State Board of Education, where he advances initiatives that promote equitable access to learning through open educational resources and innovative teaching practices.
With a professional background spanning instructional design, faculty development, and systems-level leadership, Dr. Lashley has collaborated with colleges and universities across the United States to strengthen institutional capacity for open education. His work emphasizes the thoughtful integration of open resources and practices to expand opportunity, support diverse student needs, and align with a wide range of institutional missions.
Dr. Lashley brings a nuanced perspective on how open education can foster collaboration, drive innovation, and ensure long-term sustainability across higher education systems.
Dr. Jonathan Lashley
Senior Director of Student Success and P20 Alignment
Making the Case for Open Education: Responsiveness
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 • Duration 42:44
In this episode of Open-Ed Mic, the conversation revolves around the evolution of open education, focusing on the journey of Liliana Diaz, her research on open educational resources (OER), and the broader implications for student success and educational policy. The discussion highlights the transition from viewing OER primarily as a cost-saving measure to recognizing its impact on student outcomes and persistence. Challenges in data collection and the importance of course markings for accessibility are also addressed, alongside the need for policy frameworks that support open education initiatives. The episode concludes with an optimistic outlook on the future of open education, emphasizing the commitment of educators to continue this vital work regardless of funding constraints.
Key Takeaways
Liliana Diaz’s journey into open education began with a lack of knowledge about OER.
The conversation has evolved from cost savings to broader educational benefits.
Research shows that no cost, low cost programs positively impact student completion rates.
Data collection challenges hinder the ability to assess OER’s impact accurately.
Open education can adapt quickly to new technologies and learning styles.
Policy frameworks are essential for embedding open education into institutional practices.
Course markings are crucial for student awareness of OER availability.
The commitment to open education persists despite funding challenges.
Collaboration across different educational stakeholders enhances OER initiatives.
The future of open education is promising, driven by passionate educators.
Chapter Titles
00:00 Introduction to Open Education
01:48 Liliana Diaz’s Journey into Open Education
04:26 Reframing Open Education: Beyond Cost Savings
06:48 Research Findings on No Cost, Low Cost Programs
11:56 Challenges in Data Collection for OER Studies
19:57 The Future of Open Education and Innovation
26:51 Course Markings and Accessibility in Open Education
33:43 Policy and Accountability in Open Education
38:58 Optimism for the Future of Open Education
About our Guest
Dr. Liliana Diaz Solodukhin
About Open-Ed Mic
Meet Your Hosts
Transforming Education Through Openness: A Personal Journey
Season 1 · Episode 1
Wednesday, August 13, 2025 • Duration 35:37
In this inaugural episode of Open-Ed Mic, the hosts discuss their personal journeys into open education, highlighting the importance of accessibility and affordability in higher education. They share their experiences as students and educators, emphasizing the need for open educational resources to alleviate financial burdens on students. The conversation also touches on the evolving perspectives of faculty regarding open education and the influence of student voices in advocating for change. The episode concludes with reflections on the significance of diverse experiences in shaping the future of open education.
Key Takeaways
Brittany emphasizes the importance of access to materials for students.
Zach shares his struggles as a first-generation college student.
Mike reflects on the engagement challenges he faced as a faculty member.
Kevin highlights the shift in faculty perspectives post-2020.
The group discusses the impact of student pressure on faculty decisions.
Brittany notes the growing interest in academic freedom among faculty.
Zach mentions the need for pragmatic discussions about material selection.
The hosts agree on the importance of diverse voices in open education.
They recognize the challenges and opportunities in higher education today.
The episode sets the stage for future discussions on open education.
About Open-Ed Mic
Explore our Open-Ed Mic podcast for practical guidance and inspiring stories about open education. Discover how to incorporate OER materials into your course while connecting with a community dedicated to transforming teaching and learning through openness.
Meet Your Hosts
Your hosts—Kevin Corcoran, Zach Claybaugh, Brittany Dudek, and Dr. Michael A. Mills—bring decades of combined expertise as prominent thought leaders in open educational resources (OER) within higher education. With extensive backgrounds spanning digital learning, library science, student success initiatives, and strategic leadership at state and national levels, they have collectively shaped policies, driven impactful initiatives, and advocated passionately for increased access to education. Their collaborative approach highlights their deep commitment to advancing open education practices, ensuring quality, affordability, and accessibility for learners everywhere.
Related Shows Based on Content Similarities
Discover shows related to Open-Ed Mic: An OER Podcast, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
With a background that spans technology, content development, and organizational leadership, Williamson brings a forward-looking perspective to the future of learning—championing more personalized, modular, and engaging educational experiences. His work continues to shape how open content evolves in an era defined by artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and changing student needs.
Social Media: linkedin.com/in/danielcwilliamson
Leader in Open Education
OpenStax initiative at Rice University
Explore our Open-Ed Mic podcast for practical guidance and inspiring stories about open education. Discover how to incorporate OER materials into your course while connecting with a community dedicated to transforming teaching and learning through openness.
Your hosts—Kevin Corcoran, Zach Claybaugh, Brittany Dudek, and Dr. Michael A. Mills—bring decades of combined expertise as prominent thought leaders in open educational resources (OER) within higher education. With extensive backgrounds spanning digital learning, library science, student success initiatives, and strategic leadership at state and national levels, they have collectively shaped policies, driven impactful initiatives, and advocated passionately for increased access to education. Their collaborative approach highlights their deep commitment to advancing open education practices, ensuring quality, affordability, and accessibility for learners everywhere.
Social media: linkedin.com/in/andrew-mckinney-39a34b198
Director of Research and Publishing Strategies and Open Educational Resources (OER) Coordinator
City University of New York (CUNY)
Explore our Open-Ed Mic podcast for practical guidance and inspiring stories about open education. Discover how to incorporate OER materials into your course while connecting with a community dedicated to transforming teaching and learning through openness.
Your hosts—Kevin Corcoran, Zach Claybaugh, Brittany Dudek, and Dr. Michael A. Mills—bring decades of combined expertise as prominent thought leaders in open educational resources (OER) within higher education. With extensive backgrounds spanning digital learning, library science, student success initiatives, and strategic leadership at state and national levels, they have collectively shaped policies, driven impactful initiatives, and advocated passionately for increased access to education. Their collaborative approach highlights their deep commitment to advancing open education practices, ensuring quality, affordability, and accessibility for learners everywhere.
Explore our Open-Ed Mic podcast for practical guidance and inspiring stories about open education. Discover how to incorporate OER materials into your course while connecting with a community dedicated to transforming teaching and learning through openness.
Your hosts—Kevin Corcoran, Zach Claybaugh, Brittany Dudek, and Dr. Michael A. Mills—bring decades of combined expertise as prominent thought leaders in open educational resources (OER) within higher education. With extensive backgrounds spanning digital learning, library science, student success initiatives, and strategic leadership at state and national levels, they have collectively shaped policies, driven impactful initiatives, and advocated passionately for increased access to education. Their collaborative approach highlights their deep commitment to advancing open education practices, ensuring quality, affordability, and accessibility for learners everywhere.
Your hosts—Kevin Corcoran, Zach Claybaugh, Brittany Dudek, and Dr. Michael A. Mills—bring decades of combined expertise as prominent thought leaders in open educational resources (OER) within higher education. With extensive backgrounds spanning digital learning, library science, student success initiatives, and strategic leadership at state and national levels, they have collectively shaped policies, driven impactful initiatives, and advocated passionately for increased access to education. Their collaborative approach highlights their deep commitment to advancing open education practices, ensuring quality, affordability, and accessibility for learners everywhere.
Explore our Open-Ed Mic podcast for practical guidance and inspiring stories about open education. Discover how to incorporate OER materials into your course while connecting with a community dedicated to transforming teaching and learning through openness.
Your hosts—Kevin Corcoran, Zach Claybaugh, Brittany Dudek, and Dr. Michael A. Mills—bring decades of combined expertise as prominent thought leaders in open educational resources (OER) within higher education. With extensive backgrounds spanning digital learning, library science, student success initiatives, and strategic leadership at state and national levels, they have collectively shaped policies, driven impactful initiatives, and advocated passionately for increased access to education. Their collaborative approach highlights their deep commitment to advancing open education practices, ensuring quality, affordability, and accessibility for learners everywhere.
Explore our Open-Ed Mic podcast for practical guidance and inspiring stories about open education. Discover how to incorporate OER materials into your course while connecting with a community dedicated to transforming teaching and learning through openness.
Your hosts—Kevin Corcoran, Zach Claybaugh, Brittany Dudek, and Dr. Michael A. Mills—bring decades of combined expertise as prominent thought leaders in open educational resources (OER) within higher education. With extensive backgrounds spanning digital learning, library science, student success initiatives, and strategic leadership at state and national levels, they have collectively shaped policies, driven impactful initiatives, and advocated passionately for increased access to education. Their collaborative approach highlights their deep commitment to advancing open education practices, ensuring quality, affordability, and accessibility for learners everywhere.
Explore our Open-Ed Mic podcast for practical guidance and inspiring stories about open education. Discover how to incorporate OER materials into your course while connecting with a community dedicated to transforming teaching and learning through openness.
Your hosts—Kevin Corcoran, Zach Claybaugh, Brittany Dudek, and Dr. Michael A. Mills—bring decades of combined expertise as prominent thought leaders in open educational resources (OER) within higher education. With extensive backgrounds spanning digital learning, library science, student success initiatives, and strategic leadership at state and national levels, they have collectively shaped policies, driven impactful initiatives, and advocated passionately for increased access to education. Their collaborative approach highlights their deep commitment to advancing open education practices, ensuring quality, affordability, and accessibility for learners everywhere.
Dr. Liliana Diaz Solodukhin has over a decade of experience in higher education including roles in admissions, financial aid, advising, and community engagement at two- and four-year institutions. Previously, she was a senior policy analyst at WICHE advancing Open Educational Resources (OER) adoption nationally. She now serves at the Colorado Department of Higher Education as Senior Director of Student Success and P20 Alignment. A Colorado learner, she earned a B.A. in film studies, a B.S. in journalism, and a technology certificate from CU Boulder, along with a master’s and doctorate in higher education from the University of Denver.
Senior Director of Student Success and P20 Alignment
Explore our Open-Ed Mic podcast for practical guidance and inspiring stories about open education. Discover how to incorporate OER materials into your course while connecting with a community dedicated to transforming teaching and learning through openness.
Your hosts—Kevin Corcoran, Zach Claybaugh, Brittany Dudek, and Dr. Michael A. Mills—bring decades of combined expertise as prominent thought leaders in open educational resources (OER) within higher education. With extensive backgrounds spanning digital learning, library science, student success initiatives, and strategic leadership at state and national levels, they have collectively shaped policies, driven impactful initiatives, and advocated passionately for increased access to education. Their collaborative approach highlights their deep commitment to advancing open education practices, ensuring quality, affordability, and accessibility for learners everywhere.
