DOAJ is delighted to welcome Joanna Ball as its new Managing Director. With over 20 years’ management and leadership experience, Joanna has a proven track record as a vocal advocate for open access. 

Joanna Ball, new Managing Director

She brings a wealth of experience and strategic leadership from work as Head of Roskilde University Library and senior management roles in library services at the University of Sussex and the University of Cambridge. Joanna will also chair  UKSG from March 2022. She succeeds Lars Bjørnshauge, DOAJ Founder, and Managing Director since 2013.

“DOAJ is an essential element in the open infrastructure ecosystem and is a service relied upon by researchers, libraries, publishers and funders. It’s a privilege to take up the reins from Lars and lead the organization into its next chapter,” said Joanna “I’m looking forward to working with the DOAJ team to ensure that the service is both sustainable and develops in line with the needs of the wider scholarly community.”

Joanna will start her new position in January 2022, at a time when the open access movement is gaining momentum and demand for open access infrastructure, such as DOAJ, is increasing. 

“We are extremely pleased that Joanna is joining the team and confident she has the skills, experience and vision to guide DOAJ into the future. I am looking forward to assisting Joanna in the transition during the coming months,” said Lars Bjørnshauge. 

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