The Global OER Graduate Network (GO-GN) is a global network of doctoral researchers in OEP/OER (go-gn.net). It was founded in 2012, with the aim of establishing a research community to support and promote research in the area of OER. The project is coordinated by a team at the Open University, UK. They undertake a number of tasks to support members including webinars, social media and promotion of OER/OEP. Prior to the pandemic however, the main activity was to bring a group of members together for an intensive two day seminar. This seminar coincides with a major OER conference (OEGlobal or OER Conference) which members then attend.

In this session we will reflect on how the pandemic interrupted this and the activities the team undertook to replace this in terms of care, presence and maintaining a community during a time when many members had their research interrupted and were asked to take on extra duties. The team sought to learn from the work on a pedagogy of care (Bali 2020).

During this period the team necessarily had to change their plans, as much of the network activity is based around the face to face seminars. The session will outline the activity timeline of what was undertaken to support members and contribute to the OER community. Results of a member survey demonstrate what members valued in these activities. One particular success this year was the production of two co-authored reports, written by the members of GO-GN. The Research Methods Handbook (Farrow et al 2020) which showcases a range of methodologies used by members in OER research, has proven particularly useful and popular.

This year also saw the launch of a Fellowships program. As GO-GN has grown over the years we have seen more members gaining their Doctorate. The Fellowships program generates region specific research that we can help promote globally. For members it also helps bridge the path into post-doctoral research with a small OER focused research grant. The details of our first four Fellowships are also outlined, although a full workshop from them is planned for a separate session. While they have been busy dealing with the impact of the pandemic, the GO-GN members have also been productive. This year saw a number of independent collaborative ventures based on GO-GN involvement, including the JIME special issue on Open Education and Social Justice, co-edited by Sarah Lambert and Laura Czerniewicz (2020), and the article on educational responses to the pandemic coordinated by Aras Bozkurt (2020).

By establishing a pattern of collaborative activities and regular outputs, the GO-GN managed to maintain its profile and offer support to its members even when it’s primary activity had previously been face to face. The session will reflect on general lessons that can be abstracted from this for other such projects and networks.