librarians as researchers: doing research in your day job
DESCRIPTION
A one-hour presentation and workshop for library staff engaged in, or thinking about engaging in, research. We draw on our experience as former Arcadia Research Fellows and authors of ANCIL (A New Curriculum for Information Literacy) as well as the practical aspects of 'doing research in your day job'. The presentation was accompanied by a worksheet and action plan for participants.TRANSCRIPT
The Librarian as Researcher
Jane Secker and Emma Coonan
25th January 2013, ARLG, York St John University
Image: Kevin Dooley, flickr.com CC BY-NC 2.0
Introductions….Jane PhD in history /
information science Interests: E-learning,
copyright, information /digital literacy / social media
Emma Far too long as a
student Interests: learner
agency, academic development, literary theory/philosophy, uncertainty, liminality
A New Curriculum for Information Literacy (ANCIL) Arcadia Research Fellowships May-July 2011
Understand the needs of undergraduates entering HE over the coming 5 years
Map the current landscape of information literacy
Develop a practical curriculum and supporting resources
Image: mcginnley, flickr.com CC BY 2.0
Other research
DELILA & CoPILOT: OERs & IL
LASSIE: libraries and social media
MIDESS, DELIVER… Access to Core Course
Materials (UCL) NewsAgent (eLib)
End-user interface testing
Cambridge 23 Things Integrated IL for DL
students Peer Training and
Support scheme Open Access and
Creative Commons
Today’s session
Why do research as a practitioner?
What is your research environment – and what might stand in your way?
How might you get started?
Image: Kevin Dooley, flickr.com CC BY-NC 2.0
Discuss …
Why do research as a practitioner?
Why might it be useful?
Why we do research
Inevitability in certain roles - project work
Improves credibility in own institution
Personal curiosity, desire to express and engage, striving for improvements
Enjoyment: new people and places
Today’s session
Why do research as a practitioner?
What is your research environment – and what might stand in your way?
How might you get started?
Image: Kevin Dooley, flickr.com CC BY-NC 2.0
Discuss …
What do you think the challenges of carrying out research as a practitioner might be?
What or who might get in your way?
What would your ideal research environment be like?
Image: Lynn Gardner, flickr.com CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Some challenges we have found…..
Finding time and space - the day job gets in the way of research and writing!
Not a recognised part of librarian’s remit
Lack of support from senior management and/or colleagues
No budget
But you need to focus on how you are going to make it happen in the environment you have!
Today’s session
Why do research as a practitioner?
What is your research environment – and what might stand in your way?
How might you get started?
Image: Kevin Dooley, flickr.com CC BY-NC 2.0
1. Find your thinking space
Images: (l) © Jane Secker; (r) John Althouse Cohen, flickr.com CC BY-NC 2.0
2. Modify your attitude to time
Image (l) © Jane Secker
3. Build a partnership
Images © Jane Secker
4. Look out for funding opportunities
5. Find your niche (love your research)
Images: (l) © Jane Secker; (r) Robbert Van Der Steeg, flickr.com CC BY-SA 2.0
6. Develop your online identity
7. Present your ideas early and let them grow
Image: ashleigh290, flickr.com CC BY 2.0
8. The final step: academic publication
Image: lel4nd, flickr.com CC BY 2.0
8. The final step: academic publication
Images: (l) zoe52, (c) lel4nd, (r) dylan17: all flickr.com CC BY-NC 2.0
Today’s session
Why do research as a practitioner?
What is your research environment – and what might stand in your way?
How might you get started?
Image: Kevin Dooley, flickr.com CC BY-NC 2.0
Tomorrow’s research project ...
What is your research? What question does it answer (or pose)?
Why are you doing it? (= context, impact)
How are you doing it? (= method)
What opportunities are there for you to do more research in your day job?
What is holding you back?
What are you going to do after today?
Thanks! Questions?
Jane [email protected] @jsecker
Emma [email protected] @LibGoddess
http://newcurriculum.wordpress.com