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iSchools &iConfernce Update

Dean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

iSCHOOLS & iCONFERENCE UPDATELiz Liddy, Dean

UpdateDean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

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iSchools &iConfernce Update

Dean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

60 SECOND HISTORY

1988Move to organizing started with

‘The Gang of 3’ Deans from Drexel, Pitt & Syracuse

2005

iSchool Caucus officially founded10 member iSchools (former ‘Gang of 10’)

Mission – To advance the information field in the 21st Century

2012 38 iSchools, in 11 countries, on 4 continents

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iSchools &iConfernce Update

Dean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

GROWTH OF THE iSCHOOLS

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iSchools &iConfernce Update

Dean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

THE iSCHOOL ORGANIZATION

• iSchool Organization is governed by the iCaucus – the initial 24 member iSchools

• Remaining schools elect representatives to iCaucus– 1 for every 10 schools

• Annual membership fee is $500

• iCaucus Deans hold Annual Meeting at the iConference

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iSchools &iConfernce Update

Dean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

VISION

To maximize the visibility & influence of its member schools, and their interdisciplinary approaches for harnessing the power of information & technology to maximize the potential of humans.

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iSchools &iConfernce Update

Dean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

GOALS

1. Lead and promote the information field.Via collective efforts that will shape the information field, communicate its purpose & value & enhance its visibility.

2. Create effective responses to strategic research and academic opportunities.Enhance academic initiatives and leverage funding for important research challenges in the information field.

3. Provide support for, and solutions to, shared challenges.Provide one another with mutual support and a collective identity, helping constituent schools respond to local challenges and advance the information field.

4. Provide informed perspectives on matters of public policy as they affect the collection, organization, dissemination, use, and preservation of information.

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iSchools &iConfernce Update

Dean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION

1. Substantial sponsored research activity

2. An active, research-oriented doctoral program

3. Commitment to progress in the information field

4. Within North America, the School’s head should be a dean who reports to a provost or president– In other parts of the world, determination is

based on reporting structure within that country

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iSchools &iConfernce Update

Dean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

ONGOING INITIATIVES

• Increasing awareness of iSchools as a valuable choice for potential students & employers

• Supporting & strengthening PhD programs– New Annual PhD Dissertation Competition & Award– Mentoring of student paper submissions to

iConference

• Solidifying professional relationships with corporate sponsors / supporters

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iSchools &iConfernce Update

Dean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

ONGOING INITIATIVES

• Facilitating collaborative iSchool proposals to large scale funding initiatives

• Bi-monthly Conference call amongst all Deans– Discuss & come to aid when local challenges arise– Issues of common interest / concern

• Annual iConference– Proceedings are hosted in an open access repository

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iSchools &iConfernce Update

Dean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

NEWER INITIATIVES

• Co-ordinated outreach media campaign – A new, experienced Communications Director on board– Will utilize iSchools’ strength in Social Media

• Exchange program of PhD students across iSchools– Provide access to research domains not available at

home school

• Increased internationalization of our organization– A global perspective is key to the information field

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iSchools &iConfernce Update

Dean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

NEWER INITIATIVES

• MSR-supported Social Media Expo & student team competition– To showcase interdisciplinary research and

development work from iSchool programs specializing in social media.

– Theme of leveraging social media to foster lifelong learning in everyday life.

– A team from each iSchool will be selected & sponsored to present & compete in Expo at iConference 2013

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iSchools &iConfernce Update

Dean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

COMMONALITY & VARIETY OF iSCHOOLS

Communication & Information Communications & Information Studies

Computing

Education & Information Studies

Humanities, Advanced Technology & Information

Informatics & Computing

Informatics & Computer Sciences

Information

Information & Library Science

Information & Library Studies

Information Management

Information Science & Technology

Information Sciences

Information Studies

Information Systems

Information Systems & Management

Library, Archival & Information Studies

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iSchools &iConfernce Update

Dean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

DETAILS OF A (somewhat)TYPICAL iSCHOOL

• 1896 – begun as a Library School

• 1974 – changed name to School of Information Studies

• Now has:– BS in Information Management

& Technology – 2 dual under-graduate degrees – 3 Masters degrees – Executive Masters– PhD program– Professional Doctorate– 9 Certificates of Advance

Study

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iSchools &iConfernce Update

Dean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

iSCHOOL@SU FACULTY

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iSchools &iConfernce Update

Dean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

iSCHOOL@SU STUDENTS

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iSchools &iConfernce Update

Dean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

DIMINISHING MLS STUDENT POPULATION @SU

13%

MLS

Other

100% 93%40%

15%

1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

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iSchools &iConfernce Update

Dean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

iCONFERENCES

• Majority of participants are faculty or PhD students• Not only iSchools, but others (computer science /

communication / management)• Seeing growth in sponsorship / participation by industry

• Increased intensity of research focus

• High ratings given to networking opportunities afforded

• Individuals in same role (e.g. Asst. Dean for Advancement, PhD Program Director, Communication Director) hold day-long meetings to share best practices

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iSchools &iConfernce Update

Dean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

iCONFERENCES OVER THE YEARS

2005

2006

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

PENN STATE

U OF MICHIGAN

UCLA

UNC CHAPEL HILL

U OF ILLINOIS

U OF WASHINGTON

U OF TORONTO

YEAR LOCATION REGISTERED ATTENDEES

= 25 REGISTERED ATTENDEES

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iSchools &iConfernce Update

Dean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

PAPERS SUBMITTED TO iCONFERENCES

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iSchools &iConfernce Update

Dean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

PAPER ACCEPTANCE RATE AT iCONFERENCES

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iSchools &iConfernce Update

Dean Liz Liddy

liddy@syr.edu@lizliddy

UPCOMING CONFERENCES

• Look for geographic variety– 2013 – Fort Worth, Texas – Feb 12 to 15– 2014 – Berlin, Germany – March 4 to 7

• Soliciting bids for 2015

• Welcome you all to attend!