Open scholars: Putting their heads above the parapet or transitioning from Grimms’ Rapunzel to Disney’s Tangled

Abstract

This paper is a collective exploration into the terms ‘scholarship of teaching and learning’ and ‘open scholarship’ and the implications to academic engagement, identity and practice. The authors are using the metaphors of Rapunzel from Grimms’ fairytale and the Disney adaptation Tangled to uncover parallels and insights that seem to be of relevance to how open scholarship and open scholars are perceived, and the relationship to scholarship of teaching and learning and pedagogical research. They explore open scholars’ journeys from a voiceless, socially isolated existence to one that is emancipated and empowered-to-share through collaboration making a difference to others, communities and society. The inquiry surfaces thoughts, dilemmas and contradictions that question the term ‘scholarship of teaching and learning’. It explores how open scholarship and open scholars wish to be valued, recognised and celebrated for their commitment and contributions to the enhancement and transformation in higher education. This exploration is applicable to higher education more generally through academic experience and practice, curriculum and learning design, and scholarship that enables pedagogic experimentations and innovations to flow freely across sectors.