Professor Diane H. Sonnenwald, Head of School, UCD School of Information and Library Studies has been elected President of the American Society of Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T).
Since 1937, ASIS&T has been the society for information professionals leading the search for new and better theories, techniques, and technologies to improve access to information.
ASIS&T brings together diverse streams of knowledge, focusing what might be disparate approaches into novel solutions to common problems. ASIS&T bridges the gaps not only between disciplines but also between the research that drives and the practices that sustain new developments.
ASIS&T counts among its membership some 4,000 information professionals in over 50 countries worldwide from such fields as computer science, linguistics, management, librarianship, engineering, law, medicine, chemistry, and education; individuals who share a common interest in improving the ways society stores, retrieves, analyzes, manages, archives and disseminates information.
ASIS&T increases the influence of information professionals among decision-makers by focusing attention on the importance of information as a vital resource in a high-technology age and promotes informed policy on national and international information issues by contributing to the formation of those policies. It supports the advancement of the state-of-the art and practice by taking a leadership position in the advocacy of research and development in basic and applied information science.
To accomplish these goals, ASIS&T edits, publishes, and disseminates publications concerning research and development; convenes annual meetings providing a forum for papers, discussions, and major policy statements; ASIS&T acts as a sounding board for promotion of research and development and for the education of information professionals.
This is the first time someone working outside North America has been elected president. As president, Diane hopes to work with the ASIS&T board and membership to:
(a) Explore innovations to extend ASIS&T’s relevance to students, professionals and academics in various career stages and geographic locations.
(b) Examine the feasibility of holding an annual meeting outside North America with co-funding from external sources.
(c) Investigate and facilitate new forms of participation.
(d) Listen to and visibly incorporate members’ perspectives into decision-making processes.-175x150.JPG)
Diane will serve one year as president-elect, one year as president, and one year as past-president. SILS staff and PhD students surprised Diane with a card and flowers to congratulate her on being elected ASIS&T president.
