Network of Experts

LIBSENSE has been at the forefront of promoting open science in several African countries by focusing on infrastructure, policy development, and open science practices. Through these efforts, a network of knowledgeable participants has been established to facilitate the sharing of expertise in open science across Africa. To further this progress and expand expertise throughout the continent, LIBSENSE is creating a diverse Network of Experts proficient in English, French, Portuguese, and Arabic.

This network will offer guidance and support on policy development, open access repositories, research data management, and more to universities, research institutes, and governments seeking to implement open science practices. Organizations interested in consulting with the Network of Experts can contact LIBSENSE for tailored guidance and resources.

Important Links

Experts

Naniki Maphakwane
Naniki Profile

Naniki Maphakwane is the Director of Library and Information Services at Botswana Open University (BOU) responsible for leading five regional library centre services. Her job is to provide professional leadership in the delivery of library and information services at the BOU.

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Prof. Ing. Jonas Redwood-Sawyerr
Professor Jonas Profile

Ing. Professor Jonas A.S. Redwood-Sawyerr is the current Chairman of the National Science Technology and Innovation Council (NSTIC), and the Chairman of the Sierra Leone Research and Education Network (SLREN). He is also a member of the Task Force for the Open Science initiative in Sierra Leone.

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Dr. Horácio Francisco
Horácio Profile

Horácio Francisco Zimba holds a degree in Library Science, a Master's, and a Ph.D. in Information Science, from the University of Brasília. He holds a postgraduate certificate in Systems Analysis, from the Catholic University of Brasilia.

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Dr. Tom Olyhoek
Tom Profile

Tom Olyhoek has been living and working in Africa for many years. After obtaining his PhD in molecular microbiology from Amsterdam University (1982) he has been at the Max Planck Institute in Berlin for 7 years.

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Dr. Gordon Akon-Yamga
Gordon Profile

Dr. Gordon Akon-Yamga is a multidisciplinary research scientist at the CSIR-Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (CSIR-STEPRI). His work predominantly revolves around environment and natural resources governance, underpinned by extensive knowledge in science, technology, and innovation policy.

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Dr. Ouattara-Coulibaly Cécile
Cecile Coulibaly Profile

Deputy Director in charge of Scientific Commissions at the Virtual University of Côte d'Ivoire. He has also been the Coordinator of technical activities of the Virtual Library of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Côte d'Ivoire since 2016, Cécile has been deputy director in charge of scientific commissions since 2017, at the Virtual University of Côte d'Ivoire (UVCI).

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Dr. Kostas Glinos

Dr Glinos (Kostas) is an independent expert in Science, Technology and Innovation policy. He has worked at the European Commission for 30 years, where he held management positions in the areas of Open Science, international R&D cooperation, research infrastructures and e-infrastructures, cyber-physical systems, future and emerging technologies and big research data.

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Iryna Kuchma

Iryna Kuchma has been managing the EIFL Open Access Programme (EIFL-OA) since 2008. Working in collaboration with libraries and library consortia in more than 60 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe, she advocates for open access to research results, facilitates the development and implementation of open science policies and infrastructures, and provides support and training. An expert in open access, open data and open science, Iryna has published several works.

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Kathleen Shearer

Kathleen Shearer has been the Executive Director of COAR since 2013 and has been working in the area of open access, open science, scholarly communications, and research data management for over 15 years. She is the author of numerous publications and has delivered many presentations at events around the world. She was the lead author of the paper Fostering Bibliodiversity in Scholarly Communications: A Call for Action.

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David Bukenya

David Bukenya is recognized for his contributions in the fields of library and information science, as well as education management. He has served as a key player in promoting access to information and knowledge resources, particularly within academic and research institutions in Uganda. Bukenya's leadership and expertise in library services have earned him a reputation for advancing the role of libraries in fostering education and research across the country.

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FAQs

For several years now, LIBSENSE has been actively involved in promoting open science in various African countries by focusing on infrastructure, policy development, and open science practices. Through these initiatives, LIBSENSE has built a network of knowledgeable individuals who are eager to share their expertise in open science with others across Africa. The goal is to further advance open science in our side of the world by building capacities through experts knowledge and experience sharing. These experts are proficient in different languages including English, French, Portuguese, and Arabic. They would provide guidance and support in areas including policy development, open access repositories, open access journals, research data management, and incentives.

Our network consists of a team of knowledgeable individuals with diverse backgrounds in the field of open science. These experts possess expertise in various areas such as policy, capacity building, infrastructure, governance, and legal matters. We highly value the diversity of their experiences and strive to ensure that our team reflects a wide range of subject areas, geographical locations, contexts, and cultures within the realm of open science. Applicants must take the above into consideration when they are applying to join the network.

The Experts are accessible to university libraries, research institutes, publishers, editors, early-career researchers, library consortia, library management and any other individuals, groups or bodies that work towards implementing various aspects of open science within their institutions or countries.

If you wish to consult with the Network of Experts, you can get in touch with us. The LIBSENSE secretariat will coordinate with you to connect you with the most suitable experts who can offer guidance and resources to assist you in finding solutions or developing strategies.

Over the last several years, LIBSENSE has been working in several African countries to advance open science in infrastructure, policy development, and open science practices. Through these activities, LIBSENSE has cultivated a network of knowledgeable participants willing to share their expertise in open science with others in Africa. To support continued progress on open science and expand expertise across the continent, LIBSENSE is forming a network of experts composed of members who offer their time to help others with issues or questions. These experts, who speak different languages (English, French, Portuguese, Arabic), will provide guidance and support on policy development, open access repositories, open access journals, research data management, and incentives.

The Network of Experts is available to universities, research institutes, and governments working on implementing one or more aspects of open science in their institution or country. Those who want to consult with the Network of Experts can contact us. The LIBSENSE secretariat will arrange for the most appropriate experts to meet with you and provide guidance/resources to help with solutions or strategies.