The LIRG Committee invites applications for the LIRG Research Award 2023. Closing date for applications is 17^th April 2023.

About the LIRG Research Award 2023

The award designed to fund a small project with the aim of identifying the most important and answerable research questions for UK library practice.

In 2008 the Medical Library Association (MLA) undertook a group consensus project to develop a research agenda based on the most important and answerable questions. (Eldredge et al. 2009) A similar study of Swedish librarianship research needs was also conducted in 2008. (Maceviciute and Wilson 2009)  This LIRG research award will update previous research by identifying current and future priority areas for library practitioner research. The results of the project will support research funders and researchers focus their time and funds on questions likely to be of high impact and value to the library and information science community. Without agreed priorities for library research there is a risk of ‘research waste’ where research is funded that is straightforward to do, but has low value to library practitioners and library users.

The award of up to £3000 is open to UK-based applicants with relevant experience or expertise in the library and information profession. Payment will be staggered with funding at the start of the project and the end when the research is accepted for publication in the Library and Information Research (LIR) journal.

The project should use appropriate research methods such as (but not limited to) the consensus methods detailed in research questions and needs studies by Eldredge et al. 2009 and Maceviciute and Wilson 2009.

The project should be completed within a maximum of twelve month period. The project report should be in the form of journal article for the LIR journal. We strongly encourage additional forms of dissemination to reach a wide library practitioner audience e.g. infographic, short video, webinar (online presentation at LIRG event).

The award can be used to fund appropriate research costs e.g. staff time, consumables, travel, licences.

How to apply

Download the application guidance notes and application form or contact Judy Wright, LIRG Awards Co-ordinator.

The submission deadline for the LIRG research award is 17^th April 2023. The submission outcome is expected by the end of April with the project due to start in June or early July 2023.

For guidance on writing a research proposal see:

Eve J. Writing a research proposal: planning and communicating your research ideas effectively. Library and Information Research. 2008;32(102):18-28. https://lirgjournal.org.uk/index.php/lir/article/download/92/136

References

Eldredge, J.D., Harris, M.R. and Ascher, M.T., 2009. Defining the Medical Library Association research agenda: methodology and final results from a consensus process. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 97(3), p.178.

Maceviciute, E. & Wilson, T. D. (2009). A Delphi investigation into the research needs in Swedish librarianship. Information Research, 14 (4), paper 419. http://www.informationr.net/ir/index.html

Research Libraries UK (RLUK), the Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA), and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) are working in partnership to deliver a multifaceted Research Engagement Programme (REP) for academic libraries.

The programme consists of a tailored cohort training programme, open events, case studies, and resources to support colleagues working across the academic library community to develop their research confidence, skills and capabilities.

In March they announced a call for applications for the Research Catalyst Cohort programme – a tailored programme for a small cohort of academic and research library colleagues to support them to envisage, develop, and submit highly-competitive funding applications to research funders.

After a highly competitive application round, the following colleagues have been accepted on to this programme:

• Alexandra Eveleigh, Collections Information Manager (Wellcome Collection)
• Alice Cann, Academic Liaison Librarian (Brunel University London)
• Anna McNally, Senior Archivist (University of Westminster)
• Argula Rublack, Academic Librarian (History), Senate House Library (University of London)
• Bethany Logan, Research and Scholarship Librarian (University of Sussex)
• Danielle Westerhof, Rare Books Librarian (Durham University)
• Elaine Sykes, Head of Open Research (Lancaster University)
• Elizabeth Williams, Academic Support Manager (Goldsmiths University of London)
• Erika Delbecque, Head of Rare Books (University College London)
• Frances Willis, Assistant Librarian (The National Art Library)
• Karen Robson, Head of Archives and Special Collections (University of Southampton)
• Karyn Meaden-Pratt, Communications Manager and University Archivist (Cranfield University)
• Kiri Ross-Jones, Senior Archivist & Records Manager (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew)
• Lisa Collinson, Academic Engagement and Research Lead, Museums and Special Collections (University of Aberdeen)
• Mark Lester, Research Librarian (Cardiff Metropolitan University)
• Natalie Adams, Metadata Specialist, Digital Preservation (Cambridge University Library)
• Rebecca Scott, Information Manager (University of Hertfordshire)
• Simona Cenci, Conservator (National Library of Scotland)

RLUK, ARMA, and AHRC would like to congratulate this year’s successful cohort applicants and look forward to working with them as they undertake this ground-breaking 10-month programme to develop their research skills and confidence.

The Research Catalyst Cohort programme is part of the RLUK-AHRC Research Engagement Programme (REP). For further details of the REP visit: https://www.rluk.ac.uk/rluk-ahrc-rep/

The Library and Information Research Group and the Health Libraries Group of CILIP are delighted to bring you a series of four CPD events during 2022, which will take you through the stages of undertaking and completing research in a library, information and knowledge services setting.

These events have been developed collaboratively between LIRG and HLG, and while there is a health libraries focus to them, they are open to all who are interested in developing their research skills and undertaking LIS workplace research.

The sessions are outlined below, along with dates for your diaries. You can register for individual sessions, or all four to get a complete picture of the workplace research environment. As well as the skills development and workshop elements of the sessions, participants will also hear from health sector library, information and knowledge practitioners who have themselves already gained practical skills in these areas will talk about their experiences.

Each session is priced £30 per participant, or £20 for CILIP members. There are also a number of complimentary places available on each session for students and unwaged.

Each session will run virtually on Zoom.

Session dates and details - “Library and Information Workplace Research” events series:

Friday 25th March 2022 – Getting started with research and evaluation

Register here: https://www.cilip.org.uk/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1587380&group

This session aims to help LIS practitioners get started in research or evaluation projects by providing an overview of:

• The difference between research and evaluation and when to use them
• The challenges and practical considerations involved in undertaking research or evaluation projects
• When to use quantitative and qualitative approaches
• Stages involved in projects
• Links to the Knowledge for Healthcare Quality and Improvement Outcomes Framework

Friday 6th May 2022 – Research Methods

Register here: https://www.cilip.org.uk/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1587385&group

This session aims to provide an introduction to research methods and methodologies including

• Using quantitative approaches, qualitative approaches and mixed methods
• What makes a “good” quantitative or qualitative study
• Which methods are useful and when.

Friday July 1st 2022 - Writing a research proposal

Register here: https://www.cilip.org.uk/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1587397&group

This session is designed to guide participants through the stages in writing an effective research proposal. It covers the when, why and how to aspects of research proposals

Friday October 7th, 2022 - Writing for publication

Register here: https://www.cilip.org.uk/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1587404&group

This session is designed to increase participants confidence in writing for publication.  It includes:

• Getting started and keeping going
• Structure of a paper and what makes a high quality paper
• Where to publish and the peer review process

Programme presenters

Each session will be run by Professor Alison Brettle and Dr Leo Appleton of the Library and Information Research Group, both of whom have extensive experience of workplace research.

Alison is Professor in Health Information and Evidence Based Practice in the School of Health and Society at the University of Salford, where her research interests include evidence based practice, the effectiveness and impact of library services and systematic reviews and systematic review methodology. She co-edited the book Being Evidence Based in Library and Information Practice (EBLIP), which brings together and moves forward current thinking and practice in the EBLIP field, and co-authored a report for CILIP which brings together the latest evidence to demonstrate the value of trained library and information professionals. She is working with Knowledge for Health to develop resources to routinely collect impact data on health library services and CILIP to develop access to evidence based resources for the library profession.

Leo is a university teacher at the University of Sheffield’s Information School, where he teaches library and information service management. Prior to this role Leo worked as a library practitioner in the health and academic library sectors, where he has successfully pursued many work place research projects. He has presented and published widely about the outputs and outcomes of the various projects and innovations that he has been involved with.

In each of the Library and knowledge services workplace research sessions, Leo and Alison will be joined by health library and information practitioners who will share their experiences of workplace research. The first of these speakers will be Dr Lukasz Lagojda, who is a Clinical Evidence-Based Information Specialist at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Further speakers to be confirmed

Price (including VAT)

** Students and Unwaged members can contact ebony.burke@kcl.ac.uk on the details above for their discount code.

Deadline for applications: 12.00 (noon, GMT), Friday 3^rdDecember 2021.

Applications remain open for the AHRC-RLUK Professional Practice Fellowship Scheme for academic and research libraries.

The scheme provides five fellowships of up to £20,000 (80% FEC) and is designed to develop and promote research capacity, capability, and confidence amongst colleagues working within research or academic libraries. The scheme is open to anyone working within a research or academic library who meets the scheme’s eligibility criteria. In particular, the scheme wishes to encourage applications from early-career professionals, and from members of ethnic minority communities who constitute under-represented groups within the library and information professions. 

The scheme is open to both RLUK and non-RLUK members. You do not need to work for an RLUK institution to apply to the scheme.

Applications will remain open until midday on Friday 3^rdDecember 2021.

For Full Application Guidance and to apply visit:https://bit.ly/AR-PPFS.

(Please note that this guidance supersedes that given in the pre-call information)

Application surgeries

A final application surgery will take place on Thursday 18^thNovemberto support applicants, and additional support is also on offer to members of under-represented groups and for colleagues who feel themselves disadvantaged in making an application. Please visit the scheme webpages for further details of these opportunities. Please do circulate these details to colleagues and networks.

• Overseeing the editorial process for items submitted to peer reviewed section (this includes assignment of peer reviewers.
• Monitoring the peer review process, communicating with authors and peer reviewers.
• Making acceptance decisions, ensuring required changes to manuscripts are made.
• Communicating with copy editors and the production editor to ensure the final copy is as expected.
• Communicating and consulting with the Editor-in-Chief on a regular basis.
• Attending online Editorial Team meetings, on a regular basis.
• Ensuring that all necessary deadlines are met.
• Communicating with potential authors and responding to queries.

• Provide a final editorial check of proofed copy before publication.
• Layout of all journal content in PDF and HTML formats.
• Working with Editors to ensure adherence to the journal in house style and to ensure the publication maintains a professional and consistent appearance.
• Communicating and consulting with the Editor-in-Chief on a regular basis.
• Attending Editorial Team meetings, via Skype, on a monthly basis and participating in the overall governance of the journal.
• Ensuring that all necessary deadlines are met.
• Communicating with authors and responding to queries.

• Utilize LIR style guidelines and to ensure journal material is copy edited by ensuring that proper grammar and spelling conventions and appropriate style and formatting are addressed.
• Verify each cited reference to the extent possible with available bibliographic resources and advises editor of any not checked.

• Provide constructive and timely feedback on the quality of articles submitted to peer reviewed sections.
• Communicating with editor.