Rutgers University Libraries Issue OAT Program Awards for 2026–2027

Since 2016, the Open and Affordable Textbooks (OAT) Program has awarded research funds to Rutgers instructors who have made their courses more affordable by using low-cost materials, library content, or open educational resources, or by creating a completely new open textbook. The program is open to course instructors across all four main Rutgers divisions: Rutgers University–New Brunswick, Rutgers University–Newark, Rutgers University–Camden, and Rutgers Health. 

For the 2026–2027 academic year, the Libraries have granted 16 OAT Program awards, which are projected to lower the cost of course materials for 2,528 Rutgers students and provide an estimated savings of $365,555. This brings the running total to about $14 million saved since the program’s inception. 

OAT award recipient Joanna Kempner, a professor of sociology in the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers–New Brunswick, cited multiple reasons for her own application. These include genuine concern for the welfare of her students—“Many of our students struggle to afford food, let alone books,” she said—and a belief that using open materials has allowed her to improve her instructional approach. “While it is much easier to rely on a textbook for teaching, I find that they tend to be written from a narrower perspective than the subjects I teach deserve,” Kempner said. “A curated syllabus that includes a range of media allows me to draw on edgier, more interesting scholarship that offers a far more diverse range of perspectives.” 

“Many faculty have reported that the OAT program has had a lasting impact on their teaching practices,” said Consuella Askew, vice president for university libraries and university librarian. “Most continue using open and affordable textbooks beyond the award period, and about half have gone on to adopt this approach in their additional courses. These outcomes are incredibly rewarding and demonstrate the program's enduring influence on instructional innovation and student affordability. We are excited to see the impact of this year's award recipients and the continued growth of OAT across our institution.” 

This year’s OAT Program awardees, listed below, represent all four main Rutgers divisions:  

Course Redesign Award  

The following instructors were selected to receive $2,500 in research funds to redesign their courses using low-cost materials, library content, or open educational resources.  

• Caroline Bell, School of Nursing, Rutgers Health  
• Arpita Biswas, Department of Computer Science, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers–New Brunswick  
• Jeanann Coppola, School of Nursing–Camden, Rutgers–Camden  
• Brian Corbett, Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences–Camden, Rutgers–Camden  
• Jamie Dunaev, Department of Health Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences–Camden, Rutgers–Camden  
• Joanna Kempner, Department of Sociology, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers–New Brunswick    
• Sangita Pudasainee-Kapri, School of Nursing–Camden, Rutgers–Camden  
• Omar Vasquez Duque, Rutgers Law School, Rutgers–Camden and Rutgers–Newark   
• Guanyang Wang, Department of Statistics, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers–New Brunswick  
• Xintong Wang, Department of Computer Science, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers–New Brunswick  
• Peng Zhang, Department of Computer Science, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers–New Brunswick    

Authoring Award  

The following instructors were selected to receive $3,500 in research funds for the creation and development of a completely new open textbook.  

• Co-applicants Christine Chapais, Jack Lewis, and Mark Lamar, School of Social Work, Rutgers–New Brunswick  
• Christopher Doll, Department of Music, Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers–New Brunswick  
• Co-applicants Bhagavathi Ramamurthy, Department of Physician Assistant Studies, School of Health Professions, Rutgers Health; and Rudraneil Mukherjee, Department of Kinesiology and Health, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers–New Brunswick  
• Co-applicants Jillian Sayre, Department of English and Communication, and Robert Emmons, Department of Visual, Media, and Performing Arts; both School of Arts and Sciences–Camden, Rutgers–Camden  
• Nathan Walker, Department of Philosophy and Religion, School of Arts and Sciences–Camden, Rutgers–Camden  

More information about this year’s recipients and their projects is available on the Rutgers University Libraries website.