January 10, 2019

UW PreDoctoral Research Assistant: Advancing Library Visibility in Africa

Application Deadline: January 25, 2019

Public libraries and development organizations share many common goals that make them ideal partners. Both groups seek to build strong community partnerships as they implement educational programs, expand access to information and communication technologies, support individuals to pursue new economic opportunities, and much more. In spite of these commonalities, libraries are often overlooked as development partners. This is often the result of a perception problem – libraries are not framing their own work in terms of development, and development organizations, therefore, do not see the potential value in partnerships.

The Technology & Social Change Group (TASCHA) at the UW Information School is currently beginning a project, Advancing Library Visibility in Africa (ALVA), that asks how public libraries across sub-Saharan Africa can respond to this perception problem, to demonstrate their potential value as development partners. What data should libraries be collecting about themselves so that they can think more strategically and critically about their role in development? To answer this question TASCHA will carry out qualitative interviews with actors in both the development and library sectors across several countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

This position will work up to a maximum of 20 Hours/Week.

Requirements:

● Ph.D. student enrolled at the University of Washington during winter to spring quarter 2019
● Enrolled for a minimum of 10 credits during winter quarter
● Demonstrated experience carrying out qualitative research in the social sciences
● Familiarity with research design and qualitative methods
● Strong communication and interpersonal skills
● Ability to take initiative and work independently

Desired qualifications:

● Familiarity with social science research on development
● Familiarity with the library sector
● Experience working with development agencies
● Experience performing fieldwork in the Global South

For complete information about this opportunity, including how to apply, click here.