Program

We’re busy developing an exciting and insightful programme for all our upcoming events! Stay in the loop with the latest announcements by signing up to our event updates.

Lady choosing a book from the library

Access Lab EMEA program

AM

08:30 – 09:15 – Doors open & registration

09:15 – 09:25 – Attendees into main theatre

09:30 – 09:35 – Welcome to Access Lab 2026

Jon Bentley Commercial director, OpenAthens

09:35 – 09:40 – Welcome from the host

Wiebke Thormahlen

09:40 – 10:10 – Opening session

Liam Earney, MD – Higher education and research, Jisc

10:10 – 10:40 – UX session

Through the keyhole: Product insights and changes in 2025

  • Sam Doyle, Lead UX researcher, OpenAthens 
  • Sarah Underwood, UX designer, OpenAthens 

10:40 – 11:05 – Break

11:05 – 11:10 – Move back to theatre

11:10 – 11:40 – Case study

Exploring AI and OpenAthens for Library Interventions

David Leffler, Discover & access librarian, Liberty University

11:40 – 12:15 – Library advocacy panel

Details to follow

12:15 – 12:45 – Lightning talks

TDNet customer 

More details to follow 

12:45 – 13:40 – Lunch break

PM

13:40 – 13:45 – Move to breakout sessions

13:45 – 14:25 – Breakout sessions

UX workshop; Breakout 1 – Put it to the test

  • Sam Doyle, Lead UX researcher, OpenAthens 
  • Sarah Underwood, UX designer, OpenAthens

14:30 – 15:00 – Breakout sessions continued

TBC

15:00 – 15:15 – Comfort Break

15:15 – 15:20 – Move to theatre

15:20 – 15:50 – Case study

Balancing openness and privacy: Managing sensitive content in the UJ institutional repository

  • Mutali Lithole – Manager: Institutional repository, University of Johannesburg 

15:50 – 16:30 – Panel discussion

Ask our Athenians

Session chair: Jon Bentley

Speakers:

  • David Leffler 
  • Jonathan Eaton 
  • TBC on additional speakers

16:30 – 16:40– Closing remarks

16:40 – 18:00 – Drinks reception

Access Lab UK & EMEA speakers

Jon Bentley

Jon is commercial director at OpenAthens, he has worked in publishing for over 20 years with a variety of commercial and business publishers. His career has spanned the transformation from print to digital as companies have reacted and adapted to new technology. But his belief remains that the fundamental purpose of a publisher hasn’t changed. Accessibility to accurate, intelligent, insightful information has never been more important. Trust is paramount and Jon is delighted that OpenAthens participates in establishing that trust between the publishers, libraries and the end users.

A photo of David Leffler

David Leffler

David began his role as the Discovery and Access Librarian in November of 2021. He earned his Master’s in Library and Information Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2021 and a B.A. in Philosophy and Theology from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2018. In 2024 he served as a Fulbright Specialist to a library in Uzbekistan to help modernize their library system.

Emma Wilson-Shaw, e-resources manager, OpenAthens

Emma Wilson-Shaw

Emma Wilson-Shaw worked in UK academic libraries for over 20 years, primarily in higher education but also in further education and archives & special collections. She is the e-Resource Manager for OpenAthens, working with libraries, publishers and service providers to make the user journey to content as smooth as possible. Her background includes e-resources, systems and authentication support/management, web editing, enquiry service management, and information skills training.

“My institution is implementing OpenAthens and it is helpful to learn about the organization's values and plans for the future.”

Access Lab attendee