Prof. Lynne Teather - Faculty of Information - University of Toronto

in a position to influence excellence in information work. One of
its aims is public outreach, including free monthly guest lectures
featuring members of the Faculty and distinguished practitioners
in the information profession from around the world, with a
mandate to bring their insights to the community. “Most of
Toronto doesn’t know what the Faculty of Information means,”
said the Institute’s Director, Bruce stewart. “These lectures are
designed to change that.” Mr. Stewart chairs the advisory board,
replacing former Chair, rebecca Jones. Mr. Stewart, who began
his role on December 14, 2009, is an accomplished and internationally-recognized
thinker and practitioner in the effective use
of information for organizational success. Prior to this role, he
ran his own research/consulting firm,
was CEO of a publicly-traded eLearning
software company, and worked in commercial
research.
Additionally, the board welcomes
dr. Ken Haycock (professor
and director of the School of Library
and Information Science at San José
State University), steven Forth (CEO
Bruce Stewart
of Leverage Point Innovations Inc.),
christine castle (museum consultant
and recent adjunct member of the Faculty), Janet de Guzman
(OpenText), and deirdre Grimes (Ontario Legislative Assembly).
Reflecting the growth of the information disciplines, the
iSchool Institute will expand its course offerings throughout the
GTA, and in Ottawa. “We are also already enjoying a good reception
to custom offerings taught onsite, and for other forms of
consulting using the expertise here at Canada’s only iSchool,”
Mr. Stewart said. The inaugural lecture, “Organized Chaos:
Social Networks and Enterprise Change,” held April 28, featured
Euan semple, an expert on open information sharing and former
BBC journalist, and on September 22, steven Forth discussed
“Scenario Thinking: Urban Alternatives” (workshop) and
“Leaning Along the Arch of a Life” (lecture). Other workshops
and lectures planned for the fall are: October 27, 2010:
Bruce rogow, “IT Has Great Potential: Is Management Ready?
(lecture)” and “Developing Information Leadership for a Reset
Economy” (workshop); November 24, 2010: Workshop with
Bruce stewart, “The Maw of Disorder: Moving from Expertise to
Innovation in World Affairs” (lecture). For more details and
to register, please visit: institute.ischool.utoronto.ca
coAcH HousE iNsTiTuTE
oFFiciAL rEsEArcH uNiT
Responsibility for the McLuhan Program in Culture and
Technology (MPCT), and for the legendary Coach House at
39A Queen’s Park Crescent, now falls under the mandate
of the newly formed Coach House Institute (CHI) at the
Faculty of Information. This year, the iSchool granted it official
support as a clearly defined research unit. The CHI iexplores the
future of the academy where discussions on the implications
of digital technologies for the content and conduct of scholarly
research and teaching at the University are encouraged. Issues
include access, humanistic inquiry, scholarly communication
and broader issues such as fundamentals of information,
computation, and cognition.
Former iSchool Dean, Professor
Brian cantwell smith, is serving
as initial Director of the Institute for a
five-year term, until June 30, 2014, and
dr. dominique scheffel-dunand is the
Director of the MPCT, which joined the
iSchool in 1994. The objective of the
program is to forge new networks for coach house Institute
knowledge exchange across generations,
and scholarly engagement among
academics (e.g., information theorists, curators, and artists) and
with a new generation of students. Graduate students involved
in discussions and activities designed at the MPCT and the CHI
will ask new questions, develop new methodologies, and create
and work with digital technologies to solve current problems
and plan for future challenges in many areas including communications,
and preservation of data or artefacts, for example.
Students will acquire enhanced skills in digital technologies and
will be encouraged to apply these new practices in the courses
they take, in their research, and by initiating outreach activities.
Watch for a new website and more information on the Marshall
McLuhan (1911-1980) centenary celebrations, as various projects
will foster partnerships with the public and with private organizations.
The Coach House itself will continue providing a space
for projects developed in close collaboration between artists
and information technologists, as was done at the Monday night
seminars conducted by Dr. McLuhan in the 60s and 70s. The
Coach House Salons will also resume this fall.
cHANGEs To AdAPTiVE
TEcHNoLoGy rEsEArcH uNiT
On July 1, 2010, Ms. Jutta Treviranus took on a new role
as Professor at the Ontario College of Art and Design
(OCAD). At her leaving party in June, dean seamus ross
commended her achievements for having “brought us international
standing in an area of research that is of central importance
to society.” He added: “We appreciate all the work Jutta
has done over the past fifteen years,
especially her tireless and strategic
pursuit of an accessible world by
creating, modifying, and rethinking
how to use technology.” In an email to
staff and faculty, Ms. Treviranus said, “I
believe that this field is one of the most
critical areas of study for the academic
uncertainties we face today, and I
Jutta treviranus
look forward to watching the iSchool
progress in its important agenda.”
The Faculty of Information will continue to collaborate with
Professor Treviranus as a contributor in the research initiatives
taking place under the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI)
funded Inclusive Design Institute. Professor Matt ratto will lead
UofT’s participation in this activity with research that will focus
on Mobile and Pervasive Computing and be carried out under the
aegis of KMDI.
informed | autumn 2010 27