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Bosch receives grant
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The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Assistant Professor Nigel Bosch a three-year, $987,015 grant to study potential bias in adaptive learning software through his project, “Collaborative Research: Exploring Algorithmic Fairness and Potential Bias in K-12 Mathematics Adaptive Learning.” Bosch will observe and interview students using adaptive math learning software to discover what aspects of their identity are most salient in the adaptive learning context and then investigate possible algorithmic biases related to the identities that students express. Steven Ritter, founder and chief scientist at Carnegie Learning, will serve as co-principal investigator on the project, which also includes researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Illinois College of Education.
Adaptive learning software works by automatically measuring how much students have learned about a topic, as well as their learning process and experiences, and then adjusting the instruction accordingly. In his research, Bosch has examined demographic differences in how students interact with learning technologies, such as educational games and online courses, with the goal of understanding “how adaptations could be made to better support students for whom the software is currently not working well.”
“This new project came about through discussions with some of my collaborators who have also studied biases in learning technology,” Bosch said. “We noted that there have been some surprises in previous research when it comes to who is most likely to experience bias where it occurs and decided there was a clear need for a mixed-methods project that will get much deeper into the details of where bias occurs.”
Data will be collected on educational software usage patterns for students using the math education platform MATHia.
“We’re working with an educational software company, Carnegie Learning, that has a history of researching potential biases in their own software, so they are keenly interested in implementing any improvements we can make, such as new machine learning models that are fairer than their current models,” he said. “Their software is used by hundreds of thousands of students across the U.S., so the potential for making high-impact improvements is really exciting.”
According to Bosch, results from this project will contribute to scientific understanding of the role of student identity in adaptive learning software, biases in machine learning for educational software, and the effects of applying machine learning methods for bias reduction.
Bosch uses machine learning/data mining methods to study human behaviors, especially in learning contexts. His research examines data such as facial expressions, audio recordings, log file records of user actions, and other sources that provide insight into learners’ behaviors. After earning his PhD in computer science from the University of Notre Dame in 2017, Bosch worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). He is a faculty affiliate of NCSA and Illinois Informatics.
Schneider awarded Linowes Fellowship
Assistant Professor Jodi Schneider has been named a 2020-2021 Linowes Fellow by the Cline Center for Advanced Social Research at the University of Illinois. The fellowship “provides exceptionally promising tenure-stream faculty with opportunities for innovation and discovery using the Cline Center’s data holdings and/or analytic tools.”
Schneider will work on her project, “Assessing the Impact of Media Polarization on Public Health Emergencies.” She will use Archer, a web application being developed by the Cline Center, in her work analyzing news coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid crisis.
“My goal in conducting this project is to use the Cline Center’s data resources in order to better understand how public health emergencies are reported and to assess the polarization and politicization of the U.S. news coverage,” Schneider said. “This is a key moment to study the intersection of the evidence base, political discourse, and public opinion in the health domain. This work may have important implications for better communication of health evidence for the public and to journalists.”
Schneider studies the science of science through the lens of arguments, evidence, and persuasion. She is developing linked data (ontologies, metadata, and Semantic Web) approaches to manage scientific evidence. She holds a PhD in informatics from the National University of Ireland, Galway. Prior to joining the iSchool in 2016, Schneider served as a postdoctoral scholar at the National Library of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, and INRIA, the national French Computer Science Research Institute.
Hoiem authors article in CLE on production stories
Assistant Professor Elizabeth Hoiem has published a paper, “The Progress of Sugar: Consumption as Complicity in Children’s Books about Slavery and Manufacturing, 1790-2015,” in Children’s Literature in Education (CLE). In her paper, Hoiem analyzes “production stories,” a genre of books and media that teaches how everyday things are made. Since they started in the eighteenth century, children’s production stories have evolved from picturebooks to TV episodes and web video series. Hoiem focuses on stories of sugar production in her paper and accompanying web resource, Production Stories. “During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, privileged children and their parents greatly increased their consumption of sugar, coffee, cotton, and rum—all commodities eaten or worn on the body and produced by enslaved persons,” Hoiem said. “To prepare children for this new industrial global economy, parents educated their children about how and where things were made, using a new kind of information book.”
Her web resource provides a visual analysis of sugar production stories for children in the context of the history of slavery. Hoiem hopes the resource will encourage librarians, educators, and readers to look for production stories “that faithfully tell the human story behind making things.” “I find that production stories reveal surprising details about technical processes for making things but may conceal the human cost of production,” she said. “They also end with consumption, when children use the products, symbolically affirming the conditions under which they were made.”
In her research and teaching, Hoiem explores the history of technological innovations in children’s literature, from early children’s books and toys to contemporary applications of digital pedagogy. She received a 2018 National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship for her current book project, “The Education of Things: Mechanical Literacy in British Culture, 1752-1860.” This project investigates the class politics of “object lessons,” a mode of experiential learning that developed during the lateeighteenth and nineteenth centuries with the rise in child labor and mass literacy. Hoiem holds a PhD in English from Illinois.
Practicum Spotlight:Newberry Library
MS/LIS student Nada Abdelrahim discusses her practicum experience at the Newberry Library.
What is your area of interest at the iSchool?
I am really interested in archives and special collections, and I hope to have a career as an instructional librarian within a special collections department.
Where did you work last semester, and what was your role?
I was the Midwest Dance and TheaterArchivesintern at the Newberry Library in Chicago, Illinois.
How did you find out about the practicum?
I am very much in the mindset that hands-on experience is the best type of learning, so I have been constantly on the search for opportunities that are aligned with my interests. After landing the internship, I looked into using this experience as a practicum—and since it fit within the requirements, I was happy to use it for program credit.
What knowledge and skills did you acquire?
Luckily, I was able to work with an amazing collection and learn how to process and describe archival materials. When COVID-19 forced us to do our work remotely, I became very good at researching and writing biographicalnotes for finding aids. I would say adaptability was key in this role.
What did you like best about working at the organization?
With a big independent institution like the Newberry, I was able to appreciate the variety of librarian positions and talk to many different colleagues about their roles and experiences, which was helpful and really fun.
What advice do you have for students who are interested in a practicum?
Think about the skills you’d like to acquire that supplement your classes and look for roles that may help you gain those skills. Consider libraries or institutions around you and approach them to create a position that fits your needs. You’ll never know unless you ask!
What are your plans after you complete your degree?
I’ll be graduating in fall 2020. My hope is to take on an instructional librarian role and see where it goes from there. I am excited for the future!
Puckett receives prestigious Phi Kappa Phi fellowship
MS/LIS student Jonathan Puckett has been selected as a recipient of the Sherrill Carlson Fellowship by The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. The fellowship, worth $35,000, is one of two national awards given by the society to the top-ranked nominee in the humanities and the arts. Puckett earned bachelor’s degrees in history and English and a minor in Black studies from the University of Southern Mississippi in May 2020. His senior thesis focused on the archival rediscovery of the literature of Pauline E. Hopkins, an early twentieth-century African-American author, and Hopkins’ literary contributions to conversations about citizenship in the Jim Crow era. Puckett chose the iSchool at Illinois for his graduate study because of the School’s top ranking and resources. He decided to pursue an MS/LIS because of his personal experience with archives and libraries. “I am an only child from a poor, single-parent household, and when I was about eight, I began genealogical research to locate family members with whom I could better relate. Planning three family reunions in middle school and privately publishing two genealogical books, I became affiliated with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History as a freelance researcher while in high school,” Puckett said. At the age of fifteen, he received a Seton Shields Genealogical Grant for his research. Three years later, Puckett’s search for his ancestry was featured in The Wall Street Journal. “These early experiences helped hone my interest in library and information science, as I developed an interest in people’s stories, particularly those individuals who are underheard or who are silenced in the general fields of history and literature,” he said.
Roosevelt honored for outstanding service
Tamara Roosevelt, senior grants and contracts coordinator at the iSchool, has received the Outstanding Service Award from Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance (SPaRC), a working group at the University of Illinois devoted to the management and administration of sponsored programs. She was presented with the award at the SPaRC Retreat on September 4.
Roosevelt joined the Research Services team at the iSchool in January 2018. In her position, she assists researchers with their proposals, ensures that grants are spent appropriately, and helps answer questions regarding post-award activities. “Tamara has become my key partner in planning for, and building out, a Research Services office that actually delivers highest-standard services to our stakeholders, while at the same time ensuring that all compliance rules and administrative policies are met,” said Professor and Associate Dean for Research J. Stephen Downie, who nominated Roosevelt for the award.
In his letter of support, Assistant Professor Matthew Turk wrote, “Despite the large number of grants that Tamara and the Research Services team guide through the proposal stage, and more to the point the constant pressure I can only imagine she is under, she is always cheerful, engaging, and thoughtful. It is inspiring to work with her, not only because of the way in which she engages with other individuals, but the clear pride and skill with which she engages with her work.”
According to Bertram Ludäscher, professor and director of the iSchool’s Center for Informatics Research in Science and Scholarship, dealing with the complex financial and administrative issues of large, collaborative sponsored research projects can be daunting for principal investigators. “With her exceptional expertise, experience, and ability to work closely with faculty and personnel in all roles, Tamara has helped us quickly and smoothly navigate these waters, from managing politically sensitive sub-award modifications, to keeping up with shifting grant personnel allocations, to collaborating in the resolution of complex cross-unit cost allowability issues,” Ludäscher said.
Roosevelt is part of the Research Development Community (RDC) on campus and serves on the Professional Development Networking subcommittee. She has shared her research administration expertise with others as a speaker at the National Council of Research Administrators annual meeting and as an instructor in the SPaRC’Ed program.
Talbott receives advising award
Academic Advisor Katelyn Talbott has been named Outstanding New Advising Professional by IlliAAC, a professional development organization for student and academic affairs staff at the University of Illinois. The award recognizes outstanding academic advising by a University of Illinois employee and IlliAAC member with less than three years of experience. Talbott, who primarily advises MS/LIS students, joined the iSchool in January 2019. “Katelyn’s advising load is close to 300 students ranging in age from 21 to 60, half of whom are online studying from a distance,” said Meg Edwards, assistant dean for student affairs. “Students enter the program either right from undergrad, after having spent 3-4 years in related fields, after having taken a break from the workforce, or having spent 15-25 years in an entirely different profession. To say the advising approach has to be unique for each student is an understatement.”
In her letter of nomination, Edwards called Talbott’s professionalism, empathy, creativity, and responsiveness “exemplary,” noting that she is highly respected and admired by students and faculty.
Talbott launched the Illinois Graduate Professionals Association (iGPA), an extension of IlliAAC, to provide professional development and networking opportunities for Illinois staff who advise graduate students. She has also served as co-chair of the IlliAAC Annual Conference, one of the largest conferences in recent years thanks to the extended invitation to iGPA membership. “Katelyn believes the more resourceful academic professionals are, the better they are able to assist students to success,” said Karla Lucht, assistant director of MS/LIS advising.
Prior to joining the iSchool, Talbott served as an academic advisor for undergraduates in the Division of General Studies at Illinois. It was the opportunity to work with graduate students that attracted her to her current role. “Without the help of many other colleagues, departments, and services at Illinois, I, as an academic advisor, could not provide the best services possible to students day in and day out,” said Talbott. “It has been demonstrated time and time again how much of a community there is at Illinois when it comes to ensuring the success of all students.”
Fifteen iSchool students named 2020-2021 ALA Spectrum Scholars
“As a group, the Spectrum Scholars have been highly successful in completing their programs of study and making significant contributions through their work in the field after graduation.” – Moises Orozco Villicaña
Arecord-breaking fifteen iSchool master’s students have been named 2020-2021 Spectrum Scholars by the American Library Association (ALA) Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services. Since 1997, the Spectrum Scholarship Program has promoted diversity among graduate-level students pursuing degrees in library and information studies through ALA-accredited programs.
This year’s scholars were selected based on their commitment to community building, leadership potential, and planned contributions to incorporating social justice as part of everyday work. The highly competitive scholarship program received four times as many applications as there were available scholarships.
Each scholar receives $5,000 to assist with educational costs as well as more than $1,500 to attend the Spectrum Leadership Institute held during the ALA Annual Conference. In addition, the iSchool provides each recipient with a tuition waiver, and Illinois residents receive a grant from the Sylvia Murphy Williams Fund, given by the Illinois Library Association. Other benefits include continuing education and professional development opportunities, peer mentoring, and access to a large alumni network. “One of our recruitment and admissions goals is to be the primary destination for ALA Spectrum Scholars,” said Moises Orozco Villicaña, director of enrollment management. “The iSchool has welcomed 101 Spectrum Scholars since 1997, and the incoming class will break our previous highest number of 10, which was set in 2017. As a group, the Spectrum Scholars have been highly successful in completing their programs of study and making significant contributions through their work in the field after graduation.”
Welcome
new iSchool undergraduates!
The iSchool welcomed 119 new BS in information sciences (BS/IS) students in the Fall 2020 semester. The School’s undergraduate enrollment surpassed projected numbers and captures a diverse range of interests from data analytics to user experience. Tony Torres, academic advisor and coordinator of undergraduate affairs, greeted new BS/IS students outside the iSchool building with t-shirts and bags before the first week of classes.
Ashley Mitchell
After working in public libraries for over 19 years, I finally decided to pursue a degree in LIS to further my career. I’ve worked in many different capacities, mostly in circulation services and periodically as a paraprofessional/library associate when librarian coverage was needed. I currently work in technical services (acquisitions). I really enjoy working in libraries, and one of my goals is to eventually move into library management. I also want to inspire other people of color to pursue a career in LIS by becoming a librarian myself.
Anthony Martínez
I chose the iSchool because of its #1-ranked program and top-ranked youth services pathway; positive word of mouth from former students; long history of success with virtual instruction (Leep); and “walk the walk” commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion—specifically the tuition waiver for Spectrum Scholars.
Amanda He
I didn’t see many librarians or educators that looked like me growing up or in college. Representation is incrediblyimportant to shaping minds and opinions. I’m so excited to have the chance to meet and learn from otherSpectrum Scholars who have been leaders in fostering diversity and inclusivity within their own communities. I know that being a part of the Spectrum community will enable me to become a better librarian and more effective advocate for diversity.
Krystal Madkins
I am currently a research project manager for HIV/STI prevention interventions for LGBTQ youth. I decided to pursue an LIS degree because it will allow me to marry my interests in health research with the fulfillment that I feel from helping others learn and access information. I also appreciate that the interdisciplinary nature of LIS allows for the application of skills across a variety of settings and topic areas. It is important to me to do work that has a positive impact on the lives of others.
Spectrum Scholarship recipients at Illinois:
• Megdelawit Abebe • Alex Aspiazu (ALSC Scholar in honor of Ellen Fader)
• Danielle Luz Belanger • María del Carmen Cifuentes
• Tacia Díaz (LIRT Scholar)
• Amanda He
• Kyra Lee (ALSC Scholar) • Luisa Leija (ProQuest Scholar) • Krystal Madkins (MLA/NLM
• Anthony Martínez • Ashley Mitchell (Turock Scholar) • Chinyere E. Oteh • Rayyon Robinson • Mayra Rosas (Gordon Scholar) • Mimosa Shah
Scholar)
Hagar’s crisis informatics research informs COVID-19 challenges
Crisis informatics,” a term coined by “ iSchool alumna Chris Hagar (PhD ’05) and Leysia Palen, professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder, is now a well-established area of study. Crisis informatics explores the interconnectedness of information, people, and technologies in crises and examines the intersecting trajectories of social, technical, and information dynamics during the full life cycle of a crisis. While Hagar first used the term in her PhD dissertation, which focused on the UK’s foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in 2001, there are many similar information challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The FMD crisis unfolded as a series of information and communication problems, primarily from government to farmers, with consequences for action in a time of crisis,” said Hagar. “As processes and procedures for dealing with infected animals, and biosecurity measures implemented by the government changed, farmers were living in conditions rife with uncertainty. As a means of coping with these conditions, farmers had to decide who and what information sources to trust, and from whom to seek information.”
Hagar noted that the FMD outbreak was a crisis of isolation—places where farmers usually met to communicate and exchange information were shut down in order to control the spread of the disease. Many farmers were unable to leave their farms for weeks or months.
“With the current COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent isolation of individuals, families, and other groups of people, this study, although concerned with an animal disease, has particular and continuing significance,” she said.
In addition, because there was much confusion and distrust during the FMD crisis, “rumor and gossip played an important role in the exchange and transfer of information about events and also in people’s behavior and activities.”
Now an emerita professor in the School of Information at San Jose State University (SJSU) in San Jose, California, Hagar has taught crisis informatics courses at both SJSU and Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois. Her current course on crisis health informatics examines how information is generated, accessed, organized, coordinated, and disseminated during a crisis. It also explores the multiple roles information professionals and libraries can play in preparedness and response.
Hagar is impressed by how libraries have responded to the current pandemic, making the “extraordinary transition” to provide their services and collections within an entirely virtual environment. “Libraries have responded to the challenge well by introducing new services (e.g., curbside pickup), expanding online services (e.g., public wi-fi), and adding virtual programs (e.g., virtual story hours),” she said.
Hagar serves on the board of directors of Standby Task Force, a global network of volunteers who assist first response agencies traveling to the site of a disaster. She is also an Affiliate of the Disaster and Development Network of Northumbria University in the UK, the first and leading international group to work in the disaster and development area.
