PRESS RELEASE: 29th March 2006
Interactions ... between academic researchers and library and information
and archive practitioners.
Overview:
What is the role of research in the working practices of library and
information professionals and archivists? How do practitioners access and
implement research findings? To what extent do practitioners see themselves
as researchers, and what types of networks do, and should exist, between
academic and practitioner communities?
These are the key questions being addressed in a study funded by the Arts
and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), due to be completed in May 2006.
The project is being carried out by Juliet Eve, from the Social Informatics
Research Unit (SIRU) at the University of Brighton and Noeleen Schenk of
ikmconsult.
Background:
The link between research and practice in the library and information world
has long been a part of the way research in the sector has functioned.
Collaboration between researchers in academic departments and practitioners
has been common practice for many years; projects funded by the British
Library's Research and Development Department, and later the Library and
Information Commission (LIC) during the 1990s drew on and promoted such
collaboration, and the LIC identified transferring research into practice as
a key part of its agenda. Since the merger of LIC and the Museums and
Galleries Commission into what is now MLA, The Museums, Libraries and
Archives Council, this kind of 'practitioner-focused' research has fallen
into the gap left between the policy-driven research agenda and the more
'academic' nature of higher education funding councils. The archives domain
did not benefit from an LIC-equivalent champion and has been seen by
archivists as something of a poor relation to libraries in terms of resource
allocation and visibility. Most of the funding for archives research has
come from the higher education sector, where the focus has been on practical
projects such as digitisation and preservation.
Issues:
Previous research suggests that, although research is indeed carried out by
practitioners as part of everyday working practices, it is not always seen
as such; moreover, different agendas for practitioners and academics (as
regards publishing, for example) often inhibit the best 'translation' of
research results and tools. The current and growing interest in best
practice and evidence-based practice suggests that dissemination of research
is a key issue for all those working in the library, information and
archives sectors.
The study:
The research will use focus groups and interviews with professionals from
across the sectors to map the current landscape, and to identify issues and
their potential solutions.
If you would like further information, and/or would like to be involved in
the study, please contact: Juliet Eve at the University of Brighton
([log in to unmask]; 01273 643506)
For up to date information on forthcoming workshops and free visits
please see the online ARLIS/UK & Ireland Events Calendar 2006 at
http://www.arlis.org.uk/even/
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