PRECONFERENCE WORKSHOPS
Bringing together two days of virtual courses taught online, with a capstone third day onsite, presented with the Charleston Conference Asia in Bangkok, Thailand, January 2026. Online-only attendance options are also available.
We are pleased to announce that the FORCE11 Scholarly Communication Institute (FSCI) will host a series of courses for attendees of the Charleston Conference Asia. Courses will begin in the week prior to the conference, offering two online sessions, followed by a final session held in-person at the Charleston Conference, in Bangkok, Thailand, on 26 January 2026. There are also online-only options available to attend. Please see the course descriptions below, and register to attend on the conference registration page. Please note that for in-person attendance, you may only choose one morning session and one afternoon session - there are 4 courses scheduled concurrently during each time slot.
MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2026
MORNING SESSIONS (3 TOTAL)
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Course 1: The Future is Open Scholarship: Explore and Discuss Four Key Topics in the Evolving Open Landscape
Instructor Name: Janet Catterall, Senior Project Officer, Open Access Australasia
Course Contributor(s)/Co-Instructor(s): Fiona Bradley, Director, Research and Infrastructure at the University of New South Wales Library.
Course Abstract:
This course is intended to be useful for anyone working in research or scholarly communication, either in a supporting or adjacent role, such as educators, librarians and third space professionals, or directly in research itself, including academics and students.
Open Access has evolved from a focus on sharing peer-reviewed journal literature to the broader vision of open scholarship (also known as open research, or open science). Open scholarship aspires to make all outputs of research and education—including the infrastructures that support them—openly accessible and reusable by all. Our understanding of what open means, how it is achieved and the impacts it can have is now vastly more complex than it was even a few years ago, and yesterday's understanding of the issues falls short of today’s reality.
This course is designed to help participants get up to speed on some of the most important challenges and opportunities impacting open scholarship today, and to offer some strategies for increasing open practice, individually and at your institution.
Read full session description and course outline
Course 2: Assessing Institutional Research Data Using OpenAlex and R
Instructor Name: Teresa Schultz, University of Nevada, Reno
Course Abstract:
OpenAex, an emerging open source for research data, offers an intriguing alternative to expensive options such as InCites and Dimensions. However, working with the data at a large and in-depth level requires more technological know-how that those who work in scholarly communications are trained in. This workshop will walk users through how to connect to OpenAlex’s API using an R package and provide them with ready-made code and detailed instructions on how to access different types of data through OpenAlex and then transform and analyze it to learn things like:
• Where an institution’s researchers are publishing
• Where their coauthors come from
• What is their participation like in open access
• Who is paying to publish open access, with and without funding
Read full session description and course outline
Course 3: AI-Powered Search in Libraries: A Crash Course on understanding the fundamentals for Library Professionals
Instructor Name: Bella Ratmelia, Senior Librarian, Research and Data Services, SMU Libraries
Course Contributors/Co-Instructors: Aaron Tay - Head, Data Services, SMU Libraries
Course Abstract:
As Generative AI technology becomes increasingly integrated into academic search, it is crucial for librarians to understand the fundamental technical aspects of information retrieval and large language models (LLMs). This course offers an in-depth exploration of key concepts such as Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), semantic search techniques (e.g. Dense embedding bi-encoder, ColBERT) versus lexical search (e.g. TF-IDF, BM25), and LLM fundamentals. Designed specifically for information professional or researcher who are interested in learning the basics, this course equips participants with the knowledge needed to understand at a conceptual level how these new tools work, the implications of using such tools with the aim to evaluate and provide guidance to users. No coding knowledge is required. Note: The use of AI assistance for evidence synthesis (e.g. Systematic review) is not the main focus.
Read full session description and course outline
Course 4: Intro to Translation for non-Translators: Encounter the World of Translation
Cancelled
MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2026
AFTERNOON SESSIONS (3 total)
1:00 - 4:00 PM
Course 5: Diamond Open Access: Publishing Without Paywalls or Profits
Instructor Name: Prof. Dr. Muhammad Imtiaz Subhani, Founder / Executive Director, XploreOpen
Course Abstract:
In a scholarly publishing ecosystem often constrained by paywalls and commercial interests, Diamond Open Access (OA) emerges as a transformative model—one that eliminates financial barriers for both authors and readers. This course provides an in-depth exploration of Diamond OA, where publishing and access are free, fostering equitable participation in global knowledge exchange. Participants will delve into best practices in Diamond OA publishing, including ethical editorial workflows, transparent governance, and high-quality technical standards.
The course emphasizes the importance of sustainability, visibility, and trust in a non-commercial publishing model, and highlights the critical roles played by open infrastructure platforms such as Crossref, DOAJ, DataCite, and ORCID. By strengthening metadata, adopting persistent identifiers, and enhancing discoverability, Diamond OA journals can thrive without reliance on article processing charges (APCs) or subscriptions.
Through interactive sessions, participants will gain the tools and strategies needed to align their journals with globally recognized principles of openness, integrity, and inclusivity—ultimately contributing to a more just, ethical, and accessible scholarly future.
Read full session description and course outline
Course 6: Level Up Your SciComm: How to Identify Your Audiences, Communicate with Non-Specialists, and Restore Trust in (Open) Science
Instructor Name: Nicky Agate, Associate Dean for Academic Engagement, Carnegie Mellon University
Course Abstract:
There is no point in research being open if it's not understood. At a time when trust in science is at an all-time low, effective science communication is no longer optional—it's a professional responsibility. This hands-on course equips participants with essential skills to identify key audiences, craft compelling messages, and demonstrate research impact in ways that can begin to rebuild public trust in scientific enterprise.
Over the course of three interconnected and interactive workshops, participants will progress through a strategic communication framework: first identifying and profiling target audiences (from peers to policymakers), then constructing impactful narratives that demonstrate the value of their work to administrators and funders, and finally, in person, developing and testing tailored pitches that will resonate with non-specialists.
This course serves both active researchers across disciplines and library and information professionals who support open research initiatives, acknowledging that research communication challenges transcend national and disciplinary boundaries while recognizing that audiences and approaches must be contextually appropriate.
Read full session description and course outline
Course 7: Implementing Open Science for Sustainable Development: Practices, Policies, and Impact
Cancelled
Course 8: Library Publishing and Global Scholarly Communication
Instructor Name: Jonathan Grunert, Scholarly Publishing Librarian, University at Buffalo
Course Abstract:
Shifting landscapes of academic publishing, open access initiatives, transformative agreements, and questionable publishing practices have all contributed to an evolution in the role libraries play within academic institutions. Library publishing programs emerged from this challenge as a viable alternative to traditional publishing outlets, being more affordable than scholarship produced for and published by legacy publishers.
In a global scholarly communication ecosystem, library publishing programs can have a broad impact, especially when scholarly communication professionals utilize those services to expand the reach of open research. Initially, this course examines the current state of library publishing, including its functions, how it exists within a scholarly communication context, and its global reach. We will identify potential uses of library publishing for scholarly communication professionals, including important discussions of personnel who are or can be responsible for library publishing, as well as practices for engaging with library publishing both in and out of home institutions.