Information literacy and the digitalization of the workplace: new book to be published on 13th April 2023

Along with my co-authors Marina Milosheva, Pete Robertson, and Peter Cruickshank, I am excited to see that the details of Information literacy and the digitalization of the workplace are now available in Facet’s publishing catalogue.

The anticipated publication of the book next month on 13th April comes just over two years since its first editor Gunilla Widén (Åbo Akademi University, Finland) initially approached me about the possibility of contributing to this new work. The conversation ultimately led to the preparation of a chapter that draws primarily on some of the research that PhD student Marina Milosheva has undertaken for her ESRC/Skills Development Scotland funded doctoral study on career information literacy and career decision-making, and team discussions in Marina’s supervision meetings. In it we focus on the importance of employability information literacy and career information literacy to sustainable employment in largely digitised work environments.

Our chapter sits alongside nine others, as listed below:

  1. ‘Advancing theory on workplace information literacy’ by Farhan Ahmad and Gunilla Widén
  2. ‘Literature review: in search of the many meanings of information literacy’ by José Teixeira and Muhaimin Karim
  3. ‘Digital literacy in a post-digital era: rethinking ‘literacy’ as sociomaterial practice’ by Mika Mård and Anette Hallin
  4. ‘Methodological choices of information literacy at the workplace: qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods?’ by Shahrokh Nikou and Farhan Ahmad
  5. ‘Investigating information seeking and information sharing using digital trace data’
    by José Teixeira
  6. ‘Making do with limited transparency of sensitive information in secretive organizations: collective information literacy through hinting’ by Inti José Lammi and Anette Hallin
  7. ‘Information literacy competencies for career transitions in the digital age’ by Marina Milosheva, Hazel Hall, Peter Robertson and Peter Cruickshank
  8. ‘The importance of information literacy for work satisfaction in a world-wide-workplace context’ by Angela Djupsjöbacka, Jannica Heinström and Eva Österbacka
  9. ‘Entrepreneurs’ digital information sources selection: a perspective to impact of information literacy and generational differences’ by Thao Orrensalo, Malin Brännback and Shahrokh Nikou
  10. ‘Conclusion: workplace information literacy as the literacy of digital workplace’ by Isto Huvila, Gunilla Widén and José Teixeira

We are all looking forward to seeing physical copies of the book as soon as it is available next month.

New roles for Katherine Stephen and Rachel Salzano

Rachel Salzano, Katherine Stephen

Rachel Salzano and Katherine Stephen

In October 2019 new PhD students Rachel Salzano and Katherine Stephen joined the Social Informatics Research Group at Edinburgh Napier University. Three and half years later, they are now coming to the end of their PhD journeys while settling into new work roles. Continue reading

A conceptual framework of career information behaviour and career information literacy: new research published in ‘Information Research’

Abstract, CIEL, conceptual, framework, career information literacy, Milosheva, Hall, Cruickshank, Robertson, #isic2022Capturing career information use in everyday life: introducing the CIEL conceptual framework by Marina Milosheva, Hazel Hall, Peter Robertson, and Peter Cruickshank has been published. The paper features in the proceedings of Information Seeking in Context (ISIC) 2022 in a special issue of Information Research. ISIC 2022 took place between 26th and 29th September at the Berlin School of Library and Information Science at Humboldt University. Continue reading

Funded Social Informatics PhD opportunities at Edinburgh Napier University: apply by 15th January 2023

If you would like to study for a PhD from October 2023, the Social Informatics Research Group at Edinburgh Napier University is currently advertising the following projects:

  1. Behaviour change for cybersecurity: Increasing awareness and reducing susceptibility – supervised by Dr JP Vargheese
  2. A new model for information literacies of community representatives – supervised by Dr Peter Cruickshank
  3. Online safety and digital literacy – supervised by Dr David Haynes
  4. Organisational learning and agile coaching – supervised by Dr Pritam Chita and Dr Peter Cruickshank
  5. Policy changes for inclusion of disabled students in HE – supervised by Dr Debbie Meharg
  6. Privacy and identity in the metaverse – supervised by Dr David Haynes
  7. Trust, risk and digital identity for digitally-unsure citizens – supervised by Dr Peter Cruickshank

Continue reading

An afternoon of advice on studying part-time for a PhD

LIRG logoLast month on 18th November 2022, I was delighted to take part in an event deigned for those interested in undertaking part-time doctoral studies.

The speakers at Routes and experiences of doing an LIS PhD were brought together by the committee of the Library and Information Research Group (LIRG) of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) to provide insight into the experience of undertaking a PhD while working, as well as provide practical information on topics such as making an application for a PhD place, and the different routes to earning the title of ‘Doctor‘. Continue reading

Forced migrants, integration, and public libraries: new research published in ‘Information Research’

forced migrants, public libraries, integration, local authorities, Scotland, research, Salzano, Hall, Webster, Brazier

Abstract of ‘Is the public library included? An analysis of local government documentation on the integration of forced migrants in Scotland’ (Salzano, Hall, Webster & Brazier, 2022)

Is the public library included? An analysis of local government documentation on the integration of forced migrants in Scotland by Rachel Salzano, Hazel Hall, Gemma Webster, and David Brazier has been published. The paper features in the Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Conceptions of Library and Information Science as the October 2022 special issue of Information Research.The 2022 CoLIS conference was held at Oslo Metropolitan University between May 29th and June 1st 2022. Continue reading

Routes and experiences of doing an LIS PhD: half-day virtual event offered by LIRG, 18th November 2022

LIRG logoAre you interested in undertaking a part-time PhD? Would you like to learn more about the experience of undertaking doctoral study while working? Do you need advice on the application process, and help in distinguishing the different types of registration for a doctoral degree? Continue reading

What is career information literacy and what can it do for you? Seminar presentation by Marina Milosheva

career information literacy talk Marina Milosheva CPUT librariesToday Centre for Social Informatics PhD student Marina Milosheva is delivering a presentation entitled ‘What is career information literacy and what can it do for you?’ at the second Research and information literacy skills in the workplace seminar hosted by Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Libraries. Continue reading

All set for #ISIC2022

iSchools, Inc. - Contributions sought for 2022 Information Seeking in ContextThe 2022 Information Seeking in Context (ISIC) conference will be hosted next week from 26th to 29th September by our colleagues in the Berlin School of Library and Information Science at Humboldt University.

Staff and PhD students from the Centre for Social Informatics have regularly contributed to the biennial ISIC conference series over the years, most recently in 2020, 2018, and 2016. This time around, third year PhD student Marina Milosheva will be flying the flag for Edinburgh Napier University. Continue reading

New roles for Social Informatics PhD graduates Buunk, Middleton, Mowbray, and Ryan

What can you do with a PhD from the Centre for Social Informatics at Edinburgh Napier University? Find out here with news of four former PhD students who graduated between 2018 and 2020. Continue reading