Atlantic Provinces Library Association 2021 Conference

Collaboration between faculty and academic librarians is a frequent topic within LIS literature and conferences, but the focus frequently considers the librarian a practitioner rather than a researcher. This type of collaboration is often framed with the librarian as a support to the faculty member, rather than an equal partner. The research project Yours 'till the biscuits bounce’: A Critical Feminist History of Home Economics in Canada’s Maritime Provinces combines the expertise of an academic librarian/archivist and a faculty member within the Applied Human Nutrition program at Mount Saint Vincent University. This project is an example of a research partnership in which both the librarian and faculty member have equal stakes in the project and they work collaboratively to utilize each other’s skills sets in order to carry out a large research project.
The benefits and challenges of research collaboration between a librarian and faculty member will be explored in depth in this presentation. Structural issues like exposure to research in MLIS programs and the limits of collective agreements for librarians will be discussed, as well as individual perspectives on collaboration within our respective disciplines and dealing with imposter syndrome.
This presentation will highlight the value of interdisciplinary research and cross-discipline partnerships, including the development of skills and exposure to new ideas. We will also address the challenges of balancing the differing responsibilities of our individual roles,
including available time for research and areas of expertise, as well as differing levels of experience with research. Lessons learned and recommendations for fostering positive research collaborations will also be shared.