Morag Clarkson - Chair

I have a BA (Hons) in Humanities, a PG Dip in Information Management and an MSc in Public Administration. I am enrolled for CILIP Fellowship.

I have worked in the NHS for over 20 years, mainly as Library and Knowledge Services Manager at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust. I have enjoyed several NHS secondments and covered posts including Corporate Business Manager for Planning, Learning and Development Manager and Simulation Centre Manager.

I am co-Chair of the Croydon Ability Network (CAN), which is Croydon Health Services NHS Trust’s Disability Staff Networking Group.

I am a Mental Health First Aid Trainer and I am a trained volunteer for a crisis textline.

I lead Croydon Health Services’ Dyslexia Community of Practice and I have supported staff with Access to Work applications.

Before my first healthcare role as an Information Skills Training Librarian for primary care staff in south west London, which ws based at St George's University of London, I worked for public libraries at regional level for LASER. Before moving into libraries, I worked in the Museums and Archives sector.

I do not identify as having a disability but I do believe that by helping one community we help all communities.

I look forward to working with CILIP's Disability Network, the LIS community and allies to listen, support and empower.

Catherine McLaren 

I have worked for Health Education England since 2018 as a Knowledge and Library Services Development Manager. I have been working as a knowledge and information professional in the NHS since the start of my career in 2002. I have been a CILIP member for all my professional life and chartered in 2008. I have undertaken several different roles as a CILIP member, as a mentor, treasurer, and committee member of different regional members networks.

My lived experience of disability has changed over my lifetime. It started when I was five being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It continued as I found out I had dyslexia; I could not read until I was nine and numeracy and literacy has always remained a challenge. Along the way mental health difficulties and other lifelong conditions have developed. Whilst working in the NHS I have received both positive and negative reactions to my experiences and to the adjustments I have needed so I can work to my full potential.

As previous co-chair of CILIP’s Disability Network I look forward to working with Chair Morag Clarkson and the wider network committee. I hope that together we can challenge, change, and influence so that all of us can work and engage with CILIP and the wider profession to our full potential.