Department of Information Culture & Data Stewardship
Celebrating 18 Years of Transformation at Pitt: ICDS Program Administrator Retires
Through Debbie Day’s work as a program administrator, she helped to support multiple program and department chairs, while assisting students on their journeys toward becoming librarians, archivists, and information professionals.
AI Literacy Champions: How library sciences are connecting new tech, academic publishing, and campus communities
In the first 2025-26 Dean’s Spotlight Series talk, Cornell University’s Elaine L. Westbrooks explored the changing world of academic publishing, AI tools, and how libraries continue to be a cornerstone for information accessibility and community.
Connecting Generative AI and the Library Sciences: SCI Faculty, Alumna Share Perspectives
Rebecca Morris, a Teaching Associate Professor with SCI’ s Department of Information Culture and Data Stewardship, and MLIS alumna Annie Malady were published in the May 2025 issue of Library Trends. Their article, titled “Facing the Questions Together: Faculty and Student Perspectives on Integrating Generative AI in LIS Education,” explores collaborative viewpoints facing educators and students at Pitt and beyond.
Interested in Innovations in Computing, History, or Fighting Disinformation? See Yourself in the Library Industry
What advice do SCI alumni have for the library industry? For Alexia Hudson-Ward, the newly-appointed Dean of the Library at Georgetown University, it is to “pursue this profession with all the vigor and delight you can imagine – there is no other industry that has so many tentacles. Information science underpins everything.”
SCI alumna Maria McCauley wins 2026-2027 ALA presidency
Maria McCauley (MLIS ’01) was elected the 2026-2027 president of the American Library Association.
Transforming Library Leadership: Dr. Maurice Wheeler Speaks at January 2025 Dean’s Spotlight Series
The world is full of leaders, but what makes a good one? Maurice Wheeler, Director of Archives at the Metropolitan Opera (SCI ’94), addressed this question on Jan. 27 in his talk, “Risky Business: The Politics of Successful Library Leadership”.Ten SCI Faculty Members Awarded Pitt Cyber Accelerator Grants for Multiple Projects
These grants provide initial funding for multidisciplinary projects that address critical questions around network, data, and algorithms with a focus on law, policy, and technology.
SCI PhD Student Wins Allegheny County Competition on Supporting Refugees
The SCI team's winning proposal was used data curation and tracking of disability benefits for refugees with disability.
MLIS Student Scylla Humbert Received Award to Attend SAA Conference
Events like the annual Society of American Archivists (SAA) conference give SCI students like Scylla Humbert an opportunity to connect with the wider archival studies community.The Human Factor: Developing AI for the Classroom
AI is framed as a means for transforming educational settings, but what if its uses in classroom are not as straightforward as they seem? Two SCI faculty members, Raquel Coelho and Aakash Gautam, bring their expertise to this question.Supporting Community Engagement with Civic Data: The Civic Switchboard Project
The Civic Switchboard project spearheaded by SCI faculty is making real-world impacts in many libraries, information environments, and communities, and is increasing access to data, fostering informed and equitable communities across the country.
Dr. Jacob Biehl Appointed as Electus Faculty Fellow by the Frederick Honors College
Dr. Jacob Biehl will serve a three-year term teaching and serving students at Pitt's David C. Frederick Honors College, in addition to his responsibilities at SCI.