PhD, Information Studies, Florida State University, 2014
MS, Library and Information Studies (MLIS), Florida State University, 2008
BS, Computer Science, University of Central Florida, 2002
Research Summary: In my research, I adopt social informatics, information behaviour, and information practice perspectives to study information-centric communities that are wholly or partially online. I am particularly interested in the roles played by information and communication technologies (ICTs) in online information-centric communities and the relationships and interactions they have with users and their information sharing behaviours and practices within these contexts.
My recent and ongoing research has focused on populations engaged in everyday life information behaviour and practices online, as facilitated by ICTs and social media. My research has studied Canadian immigrants and expatriates' information sharing, information values, and settlement in multiple social media contexts; users' social and emotional motivations for information sharing and community dynamics on an academic social Q&A site; and the roles played by LibraryThing and Goodreads, as ICTs and boundary objects, in the communities, behaviours, and practices of their users. I have also engaged in collaborative work that draws on my research expertise, examining the data sharing practices of earthquake engineering researchers; and the opinions, sentiments, and interaction networks of Twitter users, including immigrants, in conjunction with debates over birthright citizenship in the United States.
I teach in areas that include the foundations of LIS, information behaviour and practices, and information technology, with particular emphasis on the latter two in the human and social contexts of everyday life.
In my teaching, I try my best to:
My office hours, courses I am or will be teaching, etc. and other information of interest to SLIS students are available on my web site (on the right-hand side).
Introduction to the historical, current, and potential roles of libraries and of library and information professionals in western society. Required course. Sections may be offered in a Cost Recovery format at an increased rate of fee assessment; refer to the Fees Payment Guide in the University Regulations and Information for Students.
Fall Term 2020A current topic of significance to, or a special aspect of, library and information studies may be examined as demand and resources permit. Sections may be offered in a Cost Recovery format at an increased rate of fee assessment; refer to the Fees Payment Guide in the University Regulations and Information for Students. Prerequisites are variable, contact department for more information.
Winter Term 2021