Day/time: May 8, 2025, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT
Title: Inclusive Working: Teams in Library Publication
Cap: 50 attendees
Presenters:
- Dr. Linda Miles (she/her), Open Educational Resources Librarian, Michigan State University Libraries
- Dr. Rajiv Ranjan (he/him), Associate Professor, Michigan State University, Department of Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures
Description: The topic for this discussion emerged from the intensive teamwork approach to creation and support for Open Educational Resources at MSU, but it is also highly relevant to other publication contexts.The session will begin as we collaborate to develop a working definition of some framing concepts and set expectations for each other and our work together. Among the team-related concepts to be introduced, we will discuss the idea of “inclusive teaming,” an approach to teamwork that relies on specific strategies to counteract intrinsic bias and draw out diverse perspectives.
Participants will rate their level of experience working in well-functioning teams on a simple scale, and this information will be used to constitute breakout groups that include both teamwork veterans and relative novices. We will be considering application of strategies within publishing teams, specifically, although participants’ teamwork experiences from other varied contexts will of course enrich the discussion. Prompts will be designed to encourage both questions and responses from participants, further encouraging productive and diverse cross-pollination.
Together participants will explore team culture, with some discussion prompts related to very practical concerns such as communication, engagement & empowerment, social motivation, and shared decision-making. We will also touch on self-knowledge and the arts of leadership, followership, and more fluid collaboration. There will be a general focus on best practices to address shared challenges and concrete strategies for moving toward an inclusive and empowered model of teamwork.