Professor Briony Birdi (she/her)

BA (Hull), MA (Sheffield), PhD (Sheffield), MCLIP, Hon FCLIP

Information School

Head of School & Professor of Library and Information Science

Briony Birdi
Profile picture of Briony Birdi
b.birdi@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 2653

Full contact details

Professor Briony Birdi
Information School
Room C241
The Wave
2 Whitham Road
Sheffield
S10 2AH
Profile

After completing a modern languages degree at Hull University in 1995, I worked for a year as a Graduate Trainee for the Taylor Institute at Oxford University. This led to a place on the MA in Librarianship here at Sheffield University, after which I became a Marketing Manager for Waterstone’s (previously Dillons) booksellers (1997-9), where I worked with booksellers, publishers and public librarians to promote books and reading to younger and adult readers. I then moved to the Centre for Information Research, Birmingham City University where, as a Research Fellow, I worked on a wide range of reading and literacy-related projects (1999-2002). I returned to Sheffield in 2002 as a Research Associate in the Centre for the Public Library and Information in Society, based in the Department of Information Studies (now the Information School), and in 2003 I obtained an academic post in the same department. Between 2009-2021 I worked at the University on a part-time basis, balancing an academic career and a family life.

University Responsibilities

  • Head of School
Research interests

My research interests and experience are broadly focused in the following areas:

  • Public library services
  • Library services for children and young people
  • Social justice
  • Reading research and the promotion of literature and reading.

More specifically, my work relates to the social, political and educational roles of public and youth libraries in society, with a particular focus on diversity, social justice and reading. I would be interested in supervising PhD projects related to any of these areas.

Since 1999 I have initiated and been involved in a wide range of research and evaluation projects, varying in length from 3 months to 3 years. These have been funded by a wide range of organisations, including the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (national and regional), the British Council, the Learning and Skills Council, DCMS/Wolfson Public Libraries Challenge fund, the former Library and Information Commission, the former British National Bibliography Research fund, Opening the Book Ltd., The Reading Agency, The Arts Councils of England and Wales, local authorities (individual and consortia).

I was awarded the Runner Up prize in the 2016 iSchools Doctoral Dissertation award, and I was the first academic recipient outside North America: https://ischools.org/Dissertation-Award-Past-Winners

I have a particular interest in the dissemination of research and in turning research into practice, and I have varied experience of teaching, training and consultancy. My research is regularly disseminated through my teaching on the MA in Librarianship and MA LISM programmes, and to the wider profession via publications in peer-reviewed and professional journals.

I am a member of the Libraries and Information Society Research Group.

Publications

Show: Featured publications All publications

Journal articles

Chapters

  • Birdi B (2021) The contribution of Library and Information Science education to decolonising In Crilly J & Everitt R (Ed.), Narrative expansions: interpreting decolonisation in academic libraries (pp. 91-104). Facet Publishing View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Birdi B & Willett P (2017) Research In Bowman J (Ed.), British librarianship and information work 2011-2015 (pp. 378-392). View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Birdi B (2012) The changing shape of reading - the 21st-century challenge In Rankin C (Ed.), Library services for children and young people (pp. 39-48). Facet Publishing View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Train B (2003) Reading research. In Feather J & Sturges P (Ed.), International Encyclopedia of Information and Library Science (pp. 544-546). London/New York: Routledge. RIS download Bibtex download

Conference proceedings papers

Reports

  • Birdi B, Pinfield S, Wakeling S & Rutter S (2015) Investigating interlending: a scoping study of resource discovery, sharing and cooperation View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download

All publications

Books

  • Elkin J, Train B & Denham D (2003) Reading and reader development. Library Assn Pub Ltd. RIS download Bibtex download

Journal articles

Chapters

  • Birdi B, Cox A, Pretlove L & Willett P (2022) Research In Bowman JH (Ed.), British librarianship and information work 2016-2020 (pp. 242-255). London. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Birdi B (2021) The contribution of Library and Information Science education to decolonising In Crilly J & Everitt R (Ed.), Narrative expansions: interpreting decolonisation in academic libraries (pp. 91-104). Facet Publishing View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Birdi B & Willett P (2017) Research In Bowman J (Ed.), British librarianship and information work 2011-2015 (pp. 378-392). View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Birdi B (2012) The changing shape of reading - the 21st-century challenge In Rankin C (Ed.), Library services for children and young people (pp. 39-48). Facet Publishing View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Birdi (2003) Reader development In Elkin J, Birdi B & Denham D (Ed.), Reading and Reader Development The Pleasure of Reading (pp. 30-58). London: Facet Pub. View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Train B (2003) Reading research. In Feather J & Sturges P (Ed.), International Encyclopedia of Information and Library Science (pp. 544-546). London/New York: Routledge. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Birdi B () Nice to have, a distraction from the core curriculum, or a disruptive element? A teaching journey through three common perceptions of social justice in LIS education. In Dali K & Thompson K (Ed.), Inglorious pedagogy: difficult, unpopular, and uncommon topics in LIS education in times of crisis and quiet Washington, DC: Rowman & Littlefield. RIS download Bibtex download

Conference proceedings papers

  • Furner J, Ibekwe F & Birdi B (2022) From words to actions: assessing the impact of antiracist declarations in library and information science. Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Conceptions of Library and Information Science, Vol. 27(Special issue). Oslo, Norway, 29 May 2022 - 1 June 2022. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Birdi B, Dunbar A, Furner J & Ibekwe F (2022) Eliminating Racism in Education for Knowledge Organization and Library and Information Science: An Intercontinental Position Statement (pp 49-62) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Birdi B (2015) Not just for ethnics: exploring the impact of a black fiction intervention on public library users. Interpreting Communities: Minority Writing in European Literary Fields View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Birdi B (2010) 'We are here because you were there': minority ethnic genre fiction in UK public libraries.. http://conference.ifla.org/conference/past/ifla76/2010-08-14.htm. Gothenburg, Sweden, 8 August 2010 - 15 August 2010. View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Train B (2007) A promocao da leitura nas bibliotecas publicas do Reino Unido (Reading promotion in UK public libraries). Cadernos do Il Encontro Oeiras a Ler - A promocao da Leitura n as Bibliotecas Publicas Europeias. Oeiras, Portugal, 24 May 2007 - 25 May 2007. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Train B (2006) Research on family reading: an international perspective. http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla72/index.htm. Seoul, Korea, 20 August 2006 - 24 August 2006. View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Train B (2004) Library-based literacy programs. http://archive.ifla.org/IV/ifla70/papers/174e-Train.pdf. Buenos Aires, Argentina, August 2004. View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Train B (2002) International reading survey: presentation of findings. www.ifla.org/VII/s33/project/irs.htm. Glasgow, Scotland View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Birdi B (2002) The impact of national literacy and reader development initiatives in the UK: keynote presentation. www.rogaland.fylkesbibl.no/konferanse/forstaa.htm. Stavanger, Norway RIS download Bibtex download
  • Train B (2001) Reading research in the United Kingdom. http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla67/pprog-e.htm#4. Boston, US View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download

Reports

  • Birdi B, Pinfield S, Wakeling S & Rutter S (2015) Investigating interlending: a scoping study of resource discovery, sharing and cooperation View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wilson K & Birdi B (2008) The right 'man' for the job? The role of empathy in community librarianship: final project report. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Simmons S & Train B (2006) Stock Quality Health Check: an evaluation RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wilson B & Train B (2005) North West Public Libraries Joint Commissioning Project. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wilson K & Train B (2005) Libraries are good for business. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wilson K & Train B (2005) Give me a break: evaluation of the first national public library book promotion in Wales RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wilson K & Train B (2004) Reader development evaluation framework . RIS download Bibtex download
  • Wilson K & Train B (2004) Back to Basics: an evaluation report. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Train B (2003) Quick Reads: reader development and basic skills. An evaluation report. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Train B (2003) What do you like to read? An evaluation of the EMRALD (East Midlands Reader and Library Development) initiative. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Train B (2002) Caring with Books in the West Midlands: evaluation report. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Train B, Usherwood B & Brooks G (2002) The Vital Link: an evaluation report. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Thebridge S, Train B & Dalton P (2001) Partnerships in promotion: publishers, booksellers and libraries working together to promote reading RIS download Bibtex download
  • Birdi B (2001) Evaluation of the Reaching Parents programme. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Train B & Elkin J (2001) Branching Out: overview of evaluative findings RIS download Bibtex download
  • Train B (2001) The Mind's Eye evaluation report RIS download Bibtex download
  • Train B (2001) Books on the Street evaluation report RIS download Bibtex download
  • Train B, Nankivell C, Shoolbred M & Denham D (2000) The value and impact of homework clubs in public libraries. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Train B, Elkin J & Denham D (2000) A place for children: the library as a safe haven. Summary of research findings. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Train B, Chivers B & Denham D (2000) The value and impact of homework clubs in public libraries. RIS download Bibtex download
Teaching interests

Much of my teaching relates to public, youth and school libraries and librarianship. Within these three areas I have a particular focus on public libraries, social justice and diversity, and on reading research and the promotion of literature and reading. I have been responsible for developing new modules and new programme materials in each of these areas, for both face to face and distance learning Masters programmes.

It is my view that with a vocational discipline such as Library and Information Science we need to combine the more standard teaching methods with a more ‘outward-facing’ approach, and I have introduced a number of engaged learning initiatives in my teaching. My writing on the subject is included in two Engaged Learning Sheffield publications, and in posts on the University of Sheffield Engaged Curriculum blog.

In both 2016 and 2017, I was awarded Teaching Excellence in Social Sciences awards, for Outstanding Practice in Learning and Teaching.

Professional activities and memberships

Membership of professional bodies

  • CILIP (MCLIP, Hon FCLIP)

Editorial board membership

  • Education for Information – Editorial board member (2021-)
  • Global Knowledge, Memory & Communication (Library Review) – Editorial Board member (2012-), Associate Editor (2008-2012)
  • International Journal of Information, Diversity, & Inclusion (IJIDI) – Editorial Board member (2018-)
  • New Review of Children's Literature and Librarianship – Editorial Board member (2004-)
  • Public Library Quarterly – Editorial Board member (2016-)

Committee and advisory group membership

  • QAA (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education) - member of Benchmark Advisory Group for Librarianship, Information, Knowledge, Records and Archives Management in the UK (2014-15)
  • Associate Editor (2008-12), Editorial Advisory Board member, Global Knowledge, Memory & Communication (2021-)
  • CILIP Diversity Networks Forum - member of steering group (2021-)
  • CILIP Ethics Committee member (2016-)
  • CILIP Workforce Mapping Project Board member (2013-15)
  • CILIP Library & Information Update Editorial Board academic representative (2009-2013)
  • CILIP Community, Diversity and Equality Group committee member (2007-)
  • CILIP Public Library Journal editorial board member (and Chair), (2005-2009)
  • IFLA Literacy & Reading Section Standing Committee Member and Information Officer (2002-10)
  • SINTO Social Exclusion Group committee member (2007-2009)

Other roles

  • External Examiner (academic), CILIP Professional Registration Panel (2022-)
  • External Examiner for MSc programmes, University of Ulster (2017-21) ,Liverpool John Moores University (2008-2011), University of Strathclyde (2007-8)
  • AHRC (Arts & Humanities Research Council) Peer Review College (2010-12)

My research and commentary on UK public libraries has been reported by a number of media outlets, including BBC News Online, BBC Radio 4, the Independent, BuzzFeed, US journal Public Libraries Online. I have also written for The Conversation.