Stories of Openness: An Open Education Podcast

Deakin University Library · podcast.audio

Stories of Openness is a limited series podcast created by the Open Education team at Deakin University Library. Each episode is a conversation with a Deakin academic who has created an open textbook or other Open Educational Resource (OER). Listen as authors share their stories about creating more accessible learning materials and what it has meant for their students, their teaching practice, and beyond. This podcast is for anyone who is curious about OER or just loves hearing interesting people tell their stories. Production credits:Hosted by Lauren Halcomb-Smith (Lecturer, Open Education, Deakin Library)Produced by Eddie Pavuna (Scholarly Services Librarian, Deakin Library)Artwork by Sarah Fennelly (Visual Design Lead, Deakin Library)Music by Scott Holmes Music , shared under a CC-BY-NC License Tools:Episodes recorded

8 episodes

14d ago latest

fortnightly cadence

English language

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Episodes 8

Cailin Mellberg’s OER Story: The SPATIAL Project
14d ago · 36:35
What do you get when you mix anatomy, 100,000+ images of the human body, open licensing, a sprinkle of innovation, and a whole lot of hard work? Tune in to Episode 8 of ‘Stories of Openness’ to find out… In this episode of ‘Stories of Openness’, we meet Cailin Mellberg, a lecturer of anatomy in Deakin’s School of Medicine. Cailin is the lead creator of the SPATIAL Project, a world-first openly licensed resource that allows anatomy students around the world to access high-resolution 3D images of the human body… for free (yes, free!). In a discipline where learning materials can set individual s
Jacqui McGregor's OER Story: Neonatal Care Essentials for Nursing and Midwifery
1mo ago · 25:18
‘Neonatal Care Essentials for Nursing and Midwifery’, published in 2025, is an openly published and first-in-Australia resource for student midwives and nurses. It aims to provide an entry level understanding of the role of the nurse/midwife in the neonatal environment and is uniquely structured around the key concepts of warm, sweet, pink, and calm. In this conversation, Jacqui shares her stories of creating the book, how it’s impacting students’ learning, and how it’s shaping her own teaching practice. Guest bio: Jacqui McGregor is a long-time lecturer in Deakin’s School of Nursing and Midwi
Simon James, Chris Rawson, and Erin Cheffers' OER Story: Mathematical Reasoning and Investigation
1mo ago · 49:35
‘Mathematical Reasoning and Investigation’, was published in 2023 and is an open textbook designed for people who think they’re not good at mathematics. This episode features conversations with and stories from co-authors Simon James and Chris Rawson alongside illustrator Erin Cheffers. They share how they came to create an OER, how Erin’s illustrations shaped the book, and how the book is changing the way they think about teaching, learning, and unit resources. Guest bios: Simon James is an Associate Professor in Mathematics in Deakin’s Faculty of Science, Engineering, and Built Environment a
Sarah Steen's OER Story: Workplace Role Play Scenarios
1mo ago · 42:59
‘Workplace Role Play Scenarios’, published in 2023, is an internationally-recognised OER about helping students navigate difficult conversations, negotiation, and mediation in the workplace. In this episode, author Dr Sarah Steen generously shares her stories about how the OER came to be, it’s impact learners in and beyond Deakin, and how it’s shaping her own teaching practice in the brave new world of AI-enabled education. Guest bio: Dr Sarah Steen (FHEA) is a Senior Lecturer and Course Director at Deakin Business School. A passionate and innovative educator with over 15 years’ experience, sh
Siva Krishnan’s OER Story: Communication and Teamwork Skills to Support Neurodiversity
3mo ago · 30:27
Dr. Siva Krishnan shares his stories about co-authoring ‘Communication and Teamwork Skills to Support Neurodiversity’, an OER published in 2025 and designed for staff and students to support the neurodiverse student body with communication and teamwork skills. Siva’s stories touch on his experiences of collaborating with a student as co-author, the impact the experience has had on him as an educator, and the impact the OER is having beyond Deakin. Guest bio: Dr. Siva Krishnan is the Associate Head of School and an Associate Professor of Engineering at Deakin University’s School of Engineering.
Trish Corbett’s OER Story: Sustainable Marine Futures textbook
4mo ago · 32:22
Dr. Patricia (Trish) Corbett shares the story behind ‘Sustainable Marine Futures’, an Open Educational Resource (OER) that explores how ocean science, sustainability, policy and community intersect to address key marine challenges. Trish shares how she came to create an OER, the impact it’s having on her students, and how it’s shaping her teaching practice. And, if you are wondering about the picture of the penguins on the cover, Trish has a story about that too! Guest bio: Dr. Patricia (Trish) Corbett is the Academic Director of Teaching for the Bachelor of Marine Science in the School of Lif
Sagarika Mishra’s OER Story: Business Finance textbook
4mo ago · 36:35
Associate Professor Sagarika Mishra shares the story of why she wanted to create an Open Educational Resource (OER) about corporate finance. In a world where finance textbooks can be overwhelming for both students and teachings, ‘Business Finance’. Sagarika explains how she designed the book to make business finance concepts more easily understood, what it’s meant for her students, and how it’s changing the way she thinks about teaching. Guest bio: Associate Professor Sagarika Mishra (Deakin Faculty of Business and Law) is an interdisciplinary researcher with expertise in AI in corporate setti
Danielle Hitch’s OER Story: Enabling & Optimising Recovery from COVID-19
4mo ago · 36:38
Associate Professor Danielle Hitch is an occupational therapist, academic, an Open Educational Resource (OER) creator, and a great storyteller. In 2023, Danielle published ‘Enabling and Optimising Recovery from COVID-19’, an invaluable resource focused the assessment, management and support of people experiencing Long COVID. This episode features stories about creating an OER about long covid, including how storytelling is used in the book itself, as well as how it’s shaping learning and teaching at Deakin. Guest bio: Associate Professor Danielle (Deakin Faculty of Health) has been at Deakin f