Ten years ago, in 2016, we launched the DOAJ Ambassador Programme with 15 Ambassadors who were recruited to improve open access publishing in the Global South. Today, we have 14 Ambassadors, representing 9 regions and operating from 12 countries, some of whom are also DOAJ team members, and some who have been Ambassadors since the very beginning! One of the programme’s greatest successes has been its ability to connect journals and people across regions, languages and publishing contexts.
The DOAJ Ambassador programme was made possible due to a grant from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and time dedicated by DOAJ team members to build the foundations of the Ambassador programme. After the grant concluded in 2017, the Ambassador programme took a new shape as an integrated part of DOAJ instead of a project supported by a grant. Some Ambassadors became volunteers or team members, and the programme developed organically until 2024, when the Ambassador programme was reviewed and redefined with new processes and foundations.
The Ambassador programme has been shaped and formed by Ambassadors and community needs since its very inception – it has grown organically but always stayed true to its mission: to improve open access publishing in the developing world. Much of the work of Ambassadors has taken the shape of training sessions, workshops and local outreach to teach local communities about good practice in open access publishing. It also helped journals understand DOAJ criteria, improve publishing quality and become more visible.
June 2026 is dedicated to our fantastic Ambassadors and the important work they do, and will continue to do, for their local communities. We are extremely grateful for each and every one of our Ambassadors, both past and present. Thank you for all you do for the open access community!
We want to extend a special thank you to some individuals who have been a huge part of organising and managing the DOAJ Ambassador programme:
Tom Olijhoek
Judith Barnsby
Clara Armengou
Lars Bjørnshauge
Please join us in celebrating the DOAJ Ambassadors by sharing a memory, photo or just a thank you to one of the Ambassadors who has made a difference to you.
Here are some pictures from DOAJ organised training and in-person meetings over the years:
(from top left) Yanhong Zhai, Tom Olijhoek, Lars Bjørnshauge, Xin Bi, Ina Smith, Judith Barnsby, Mahmoud Khalifa, Olga Kirillova, Maxim Mitrofanov
(from bottom left) Alejandra Manco Vega, Sonja Brage, Cenyu Shen, Pascal Soubeiga, Rikard Zeylon, Ivonne Lujano, Kamel Belhamel
(from top left) Sonja Brage, Judith Barnsby, Clara Armengou, Lars Bjørnshauge, Ivonne Lujano, Leena Shah, Ina Smith, Maxim Mitrofanov
(from bottom left) Tom Olijhoek, Solomon Mekonnen, Vrushali Dandawate, Caroline Sutton, Cenyu Shen, Xin Bi
