








































Committee Task Force - Scholarly Communication & Digital Initiatives 


8

Scholarly Communication & Digital 
Initiatives 
Erica Pye, Abilene Christian University, Chair

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

• Erica Pye, Abilene Christian University, Chair
• Caitlin Reeves Greenamyre, Columbia Theological Seminary
• Ann McShane, Candler School of Theology, Emory University
• Greg Murray, Princeton Theological Seminary
• Brad Ost, AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library 
• Marta Samokishyn, Saint Paul University 
• Christy Karpinski, Atla Staff Liaison
• Alexis Weiss, Atla Staff Liaison

YEAR IN REVIEW

At Atla Annual 2023, our committee organized a conference post-
workshop with Tanya Spilovoy on the topic of “Becoming an OER 
Advocate.” Tanya is involved with SPARC’s Open Education Lead-
ership Program and used her expertise to share with participants 
some practical ideas on how to promote and advocate for the use 
of OER on their campuses. 

In August of 2023, the SCADI committee welcomed two new 
members: Marta Samokishyn and Caitlin Greenamyre.  

The SCADI committee continued to promote and execute two 
grant programs: the Atla Digitization Grant Program and the Atla 
OER Grant Program. The Digitization Grant seeks to support insti-
tutions in their efforts to digitize and make more accessible col-
lection items from special collections and archives departments. 
Grant funds are available for up to $5000 for new digitization proj-
ects. This year our committee had six applicants for the Digitiza-
tion Grant, and funds were awarded to three institutions: Congre-
gational Library and Archives, Graduate Theological Union, and 
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

https://www.atla.com/member-benefits/digitization-grant-program/
https://www.atla.com/member-benefits/atla-oer-grant-program/
https://www.atla.com/member-benefits/atla-oer-grant-program/


Committee & Task Force Reports  9

The OER Grant encourages institutions to either replace com-
mercial course materials with low or no-cost materials, or create 
entirely new OERs without reusing or remixing any existing con-
tent. Grant awards range from $1500 to $3500. No applications 
were received this year, and the SCADI committee discussed ideas 
for better promoting the grant, as well as utilizing Atla surveys to 
get a better idea of what members are interested in learning in re-
gards to OER. Possible partnerships between Atla and SPARC were 
also discussed.


