Abstract
This briefing paper provides the background to the current development of and future trends around OER aimed at adding to our understanding, stimulating ongoing debate among the JISC community and developing a research agenda. The briefing is structured in three sections: discussion on the conceptual and contextual issues of Open Educational Resources; a review of current OER initiatives; their scale, approaches, main issues and challenges; discussion on trends emerging in Open Educational Resources, with respect to future research and activities.