15

Scholarly Communication 
Committee
Melody Diehl Detar, Duquesne University, Chair

MEMBERS

• Melody Diehl Deter, Duquesne University, Chair
• Michael Hemenway, Iliff School of Theology
• Barbara Jenkins, University of Oregon 
• Matthew Davis, Davidson College
• Melissa Chim, General Theological Seminary 
• Christine Fruin, Atla Staff Liaison 

YEAR IN REVIEW

The Scholarly Communication Committee gladly welcomed two new 
members during the 2020-2021 year, Matthew Davis and Melissa 
Chim. The committee faced a year of change and uncertainty, with 
the pandemic preventing in-person gatherings and creating chal-
lenging work environments. Despite the unusual circumstances, the 
committee accomplished several goals that helped contribute to the 
both the Atla community and to the field of theology more broadly.

OER GRANT

The committee was thrilled to support Atla’s first OER grant program 
during the 2020-2021 academic year. Support included drafting a call 
for proposals, hosting a webinar to introduce the program, review-
ing applications, and selecting two very strong proposals for OER 
projects. The committee was impressed with the quality of the first 
grant projects and was excited to introduce the second year of the 
program in May 2021 for the 2021-2022 academic year. Members of 
the committee hosted another webinar to introduce the second year 
of the grant program.



16  A NNUA L Y E A RBOOK

INSTITUTIONAL REPOSITORIES

Many Atla members have expressed interest in learning more about 
Institutional Repositories (IR) and/or finding support for the devel-
opment or maintenance of an IR at their institution. Using an Atla 
Member survey about IRs as a point of reference, the committee 
decided to host a speaker panel about IRs and to create LibGuide to 
support the topic. Melissa Chim, Matthew Davis, and Melody Diehl 
Detar, alongside Amanda Hurford from PALNI, participated in the 
panel conversation at the Atla Annual Conference.

WEBINAR – DIGITAL IDENTITY

In support of the Atla webinar series and with significant help from 
Scholarly Communications Committee member, Mathew Davis, the 
committee arranged a webinar on the Creating and Nurturing your 
Digital Identity by Dr. Maha Bali.

2020-2021 GROUP: [pictured, left to right] Melody Diehl Detar, Matthew Davis, 
Michael Hemenway, Barbara Jenkins, Melissa Chim