Dr Jo McKenna-Aspell
BA Hons, PGCE, MA, PhD
Information School
Research Associate
Full contact details
Information School
The Wave
2 Whitham Road
Sheffield
S10 2AH
- Profile
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My first career began in education as a teacher, leader of school libraries, and senior leader in both secondary and primary schools. As an educator, I wanted to empower people to become lifelong learners, supporting them to develop the skills and information literacy they needed to achieve their goals and ambitions. My practice was focused on social justice, enriching student and teacher experiences, student outcomes, and helping to improve struggling schools.
Over more recent years, through my time with the Information School, I have also discovered my passion for research. Upon reflection, I’ve realised research was my vocation all along. In schools, I employed research skills and strategies in each of my roles to deliver impact, affect positive change, drive improvement and even the playing field. Now, as an interdisciplinary researcher, I focus on exploring the purpose, governance and perception of libraries, as well as striving to embed equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in my research.
- Qualifications
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PhD (2024): University of Sheffield, Information School
MA Library and Information Services Management (2019): University of Sheffield, Information School
PGCE (2004): University of Chichester
BA Hons (2003): University of North London
- Research interests
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Broadly, my current research interests and experience are focused on the following:
- Public libraries
- Further education (FE) sector libraries
- Social justice
- Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in research
With a background in education, my research is often interdisciplinary and/or features mixed methods approaches. Moreover, I proactively juxtapose different stakeholder voices to consider a topic, situation or problem from different perspectives. Striving to engage with and foreground invisible voices also means my research seeks to address power imbalances and break down hierarchies.
My PhD thesis explores the public perceptions of public libraries in England and the adequacy of the Public Libraries and Museums Act (1964) to legislate for a contemporary public library service. I adopted a mixed methods, multi-phase approach that intentionally juxtaposed public views with the positions of central government, local government and the public library sector. The thesis’ recommendations are empirically informed, calling for updated legislation that strikes a balance between the social justice nature of public libraries, the need for greater democratic responsiveness and a renewed focus on the core purpose of public libraries.
- Publications
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Journal articles
- Embedding equality, diversity and inclusion in usability testing: recommendations and a research agenda. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 188. View this article in WRRO
- Embedding equality, diversity and inclusion in usability testing: recommendations and a research agenda. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 188. View this article in WRRO
- Professional activities and memberships
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AFHEA (2022)
CILIP membership