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.

Varvara Sosedova graduated from Moscow Linguistic University in 2010 and earned a PhD in Philology from Moscow City Pedagogy University in 2015, where she did research into connection between English language and culture. She specializes in cognitive linguistics, pragmatics, English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and English for Academic Purposes (EAP). Varvara Sosedova also has a specialization in Economics from Moscow Aviation Institute, which lets her apply project management techniques in the teaching process.

Kathleen Shearer is the Executive Director of Confederation of Open Access Repositories (COAR), an international association of repository with a membership of over 120 institutions worldwide from 36 countries in 5 continents. COAR is developing a model for scholarly communications based on a global network of open access repositories and actively promotes the role of libraries in the future of scholarly communication. Shearer is also a consultant for several other organizations. She is a research associate with the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) and a strategic consultant with the US-based Association of Research Libraries (ARL).

We are pleased to invite you to attend the online debate in celebration of the 13th International Open Access Week dedicated to "Open with Purpose: Taking Action to Build Structural Equity and Inclusion".

NU NOMAD Debate Club members will argue on the benefits and risks of Open Access.