Program
This was the program for our EMEA Access Lab event. If you’re interested in any of the sessions, you can watch the recordings on demand and catch up at a time that suits you.
Access Lab EMEA program
All sessions are taking place in the main theatre unless otherwise stated.
AM
09:30 Welcome to Access Lab 2026
- Jon Bentley, Commercial director, OpenAthens
09:35 Welcome from the Royal Northern College of Music!
- Wiebke Thormählen, Director of Research at the Royal Northern College of Music
09:40 Opening session
Access with integrity: protecting the quality of research
- Liam Earney, MD – Higher education and research, Jisc
10:10 UX session
Through the keyhole: Product insights and changes in 2025
- Richard French, Senior product manager, OpenAthens
- Ian Wareing, Senior product manager, OpenAthens
10:40 UX Award winner announced
- Michael Smith, Senior marketing officer, OpenAthens
11:00 Break
11:25 Case study
Exploring AI and OpenAthens for library interventions
- David Leffler, Discover and access librarian, Liberty University
12:00 Lightning talk
12:15 Case study
- Andrew Brown, Discovery and access lead, Swansea University
12:45 Lunch
PM
13:50 Breakout sessions
Breakout 1: Put it to the test
- Sarah Underwood, UX designer, OpenAthens
- Richard French, Senior product manager, OpenAthens
This session is taking place in the Conference room
Breakout 2: API & analytics – taking control of your data!
- Rob Smith, Principal software engineer, OpenAthens
- Jennifer McGuckian, Account manager, OpenAthens
This session is taking place in the Lounge
14:30 Breakout sessions continued
Breakout 1: Put it to the test
- Sarah Underwood, UX designer, OpenAthens
- Richard French, Senior product manager, OpenAthens
This session is taking place in the Conference room
Breakout 2: Ask our experts: Integrating library systems and anything in between
- Adam Snook, Principal technical consultant, OpenAthens
- Emma Wilson-Shaw, E-resource manager, OpenAthens
- Georgie Cadman, Account manager, OpenAthens
This session is taking place in the Lounge
15:05 Break
15:25 Lightning talk
Building library services should begin with the foundations
- Phil Sykes, Regional sales manager, EBSCO
- Richard Burkitt, Director of innovation, EBSCO
15:35 Case study
Balancing openness and privacy: Managing sensitive content in the UJ institutional repository
- Mutali Lithole, Manager: Institution repository, University of Johannesburg
16:05 Panel session
Ask the experts: Tips & tricks for seamless OpenAthens integration
Speakers:
- Emma Wilson-Shaw, E-resources manager, OpenAthens
- Adam Snook, Principal technical consultant, OpenAthens
- David Leffler, Discover and access librarian, Liberty University
- Jonathan Eaton, Senior content & systems manager, London Business School
16:40 Closing remarks
- Jon Bentley, Commercial director, OpenAthens
16:45 Networking and drinks reception
“My institution is implementing OpenAthens and it is helpful to learn about the organization's values and plans for the future.”
