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Information Specialist, University of Sheffield

I joined ScHARR in 2001 after working as a journalist with my remit to provide support and guidance to staff and students in their use of technology and information resources. My role is to scan the horizon for opportunities relating to research, teaching and collaboration and maintain networks that support this. I have a keen interest in new ways of working by employing Web 2.0 and Social Media including video but also pay close attention to the implications and pitfalls for using such advances. I offer guidance and support on information literacies and digital copyright. My main areas of work are in Web 2.0, Social Media, Google Apps, Altmetrics, MOOCs, Infographics, and the Web.

I started the ScHARR Bite Size series - where we teach you something new in 20 minutes whichhas been replicated at various universities. I also run the popular ScHARR Library Blog. I am also the secretary of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals Multi-Media and Information Technology Committee.

Research Interests

My research interests are focused in the area of modern Web tools, Altmetrics, Web 2.0, social networks and software and their application for research, teaching, learning, knowledge management and transfer and collaboration. I am very interested in how we manage information and how information overload affects our professional and personal lives.

Teaching Interests

My teaching interests lie in encouraging staff and students to use the many tools and technologies, quite often freely, available to aid them carry out research and collaboration within the academic and clinical setting. I teach on the IRIS programme and guest on the MSc Health Informatics programme.

Professional Activities

I am reside on the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals - Multi Media and Information Technology Committee. I am also a Mendeley Advisor for the social reference management software company and an Ambassador for Altmetric.

Experience

  • –present
    Information Specialist, University of Sheffield

Education

  • 2014 
    Higher Education Academy , FHEA
  • 2007 
    University of Sheffield, MSc Information Management
  • 2000 
    University of Sheffield, BA (Hons) Journalism

Honours

BA (Hons) Journalism, MSc Information Management, SFHEA