Information Studies MPhil (Research)

Information Studies has a vibrant research culture with a growing number of doctoral and masters students, exploring a range of topics in the fields of information studies, museology, digital culture and digital humanities.

OVERVIEW

Information Studies has a vibrant research culture that investigates a range of topics in the fields of information studies and digital culture, and digital humanities. Rapid technological change, massive volumes of digital information of increasing complexity pose significant challenges to our individual and collective use and curation of information. Fundamental concepts such as identity, memory, authenticity, trust, transparency, accountability, representation, engagement, preservation and access are important aspects of information studies in a digital era. These concerns demand a fresh theoretical approach, a deeper understanding of the nature of information and innovative solutions that connect theory with practice, people with information, and technology with humanity.

Our research focuses on the following areas:

Theoretical approaches to information
Management, Curation and Evaluation of Digital Assets
Archive, Records and (Personal) Information Management
Digital Cultural Heritage and Digital Museology
Digital Humanities and Arts

Topics of particular interest

Information Studies places great emphasis on the relationship of theory and practice in the information society drawing on a range of disciplinary perspectives and experience from different parts of the globe. Research students are expected to join the departmental research seminars and contribute to discussion and publications, and make an active contribution to the research environment in the subject area. Staff are always delighted to discuss research proposals and ideas with prospective students. Topics of particular interest within these areas include:

• Digital media in cultural heritage (ranging from behind the scenes collection information systems to social media and mobile apps for interpretation)
• Visitor studies and evaluation of information use
• Digital collections: use, value and impact
• The transformation of archival practice
• Digital manuscripts and advanced imaging
• The use of digital tools and methods in humanities and arts research
• Citizen science and crowdsourcing
• Multimedia Tools and Applications (ranging from music analysis to lifelogging)
• Record keeping, archives, and accountability
• Gamification in heritage settings and beyond.

Thesis length: 30,000-40,000 words (including references and bibliography).

A Master of Philosophy (Research) requires you to undertake a postgraduate course of special study and research that represents a distinct contribution to knowledge.