Rita Kop has a PhD in Adult Continuing Education. After a career in teaching, research and development activities related to education and technology in Canada, the UK and the Netherlands, she currently researches advanced educational technologies and online learning. She worked as researcher for the National Research Council of Canada and as Professor in Adult Education and Higher Education in the UK and is an advocate for open learning and widening access. Her research interests: adult education, teaching and learning, online learning, widening access, the design of learning experiences.