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Saturday 28 November 2015

Research papers at ALIA conferences

By Suzana Sukovic


REMINDER: ALIA National 2016 call for RESEARCH papers 
The ALIA National Conference 2016 call for abstracts has been extended – now closing 3 December 2015. Submissions of research papers are VERY welcome and STRONGLY encouraged! All research papers will be acknowledged in the program. Please see the conference website for further information on submission guidelines. Enquiries regarding abstract submissions for research papers can be directed to the ALIA Events Team at events@alia.org.au. (From the Conference Committee)

This call for research papers appears as your regular run of the mill message from conference organisers. However, those of you engaged with the Australian LIS community know it is a milestone. Over a number of years Australian academics and LIS professionals felt (and still feel) they work in their own, distinctly separate corner of the field. ALIA conferences tended to focus on the “work on the ground”, which made it less inviting for academics to participate, especially that most universities pay conference costs only when academics present, preferably full peer-reviewed papers. Professionals interested and engaged in practice-based research felt that they were missing opportunities to learn about research in the field and advance their evidence-based practice.

ALIA Board and Research Advisory Committee heard voices of discontent (many in our own ranks). With ALIA’s vested interest in research and evidence-based practice, it became apparent that ALIA conferences need to put research more prominently on their programs. ALIA 2016 now has the process in place to identify research papers and make sure that those that pass quality selection criteria are included in the program. With options to submit full papers for blind peer-review or abstracts for consideration by the program committee, LIS professionals and academics have a chance to decide how they want to participate in this conference. ALIA and the Research Committee hope it will open new opportunities for conversation and learning.



Dr Suzana Sukovic is Co-Chair of the ALIA Research Advisory Committee

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