Veliswa Tshetsha

I am a passionate research information professional, currently serving as Director of Research and Open Scholarship at North-West University. With a background in leading scholarly communication services at the, I’ve spent over a decade advancing open scholarship, research data management, and scholarly publishing support in higher education. My work focuses on aligning institutional research strategies with national and global Open Science frameworks, while promoting equitable access to research through robust policies, infrastructure, and collaborative engagement.

Throughout my career, I have spearheaded numerous high-impact projects, including the development and implementation of Open Access (OA) and Research Data Management (RDM) policies, repository enhancements (DSpace, Figshare), ORCID and Altmetrics integration, and tools to improve researcher visibility and impact. Driven by a commitment to open knowledge and innovation, I actively advocate for inclusive, policy-aligned scholarly ecosystems that empower researchers, librarians, and institutions. I continue to build bridges between research support services and academic communities by promoting impactful research dissemination practices and fostering collaboration across institutional, national, and international levels. I believe libraries are not just service points, but strategic partners in driving knowledge creation, visibility, and global impact.

I am deeply honored and sincerely grateful to have been selected as a 2025 Mortenson Associate,  a recognition that I hold with immense appreciation. This opportunity affirms my commitment to advancing scholarly communication and open scholarship and inspires me to grow, learn, and contribute meaningfully to the global library and research community. I look forward to engaging with fellow associates and building a more inclusive and impactful future for libraries worldwide.

Five learning goals for the 2025 Mortenson Associate Program include the following:

• Deepen understanding of open scholarship by expanding my knowledge of its principles and exploring practical strategies for their effective implementation across academic and research environments
• Develop leadership and communication skills by learning innovative leadership models and communication techniques that will enable me to lead teams effectively, drive change, and foster a collaborative library culture.
• Support inclusive and equitable access by advancing inclusive practices through building and curating digital and print collections that reflect diverse communities and ensure equitable access to information.
• Improve library assessment practices by strengthening my understanding of assessment methods to evaluate the library’s impact more effectively and continuously improve services based on user needs and data-driven insights.
• Build a global professional network by engaging with international peers to exchange ideas, share best practices, and cultivate opportunities for future collaboration and innovation in librarianship.