(via Christine Moeller, PhD candidate at University of Washington iShcool)
Are you a “neurotypical” (do not identify as neurodivergent) librarian at a US public or academic library? Are you interested in improving neuroinclusion at your workplace? Please consider participating in our survey, which is the next phase of an IMLS-funded research project conducted by faculty and graduate students from the Information School at the University of Washington. This survey will inform the development of training and a toolkit for managers and employees, and a curriculum module and toolkit for MLIS programs across the U.S. to prepare inclusive future librarians and improve overall neurodiversity inclusion and empowerment in the library profession nationwide. Experience working directly with neurodivergent librarians is not required.
You are eligible to participate if:
- You are aged 18 or older
- You identify as neurotypical (not neurodivergent in any way)
- You are currently employed as a librarian or library supervisor at a public or academic library, or have worked in such roles at public or academic libraries within the past five years.
Currently, neurodivergent librarians remain underrepresented in the profession, and there is very little research and few established practices to guide their recruitment, onboarding, retention, and advancement. The goal of this study is to is to build libraries’ capacity, at the team level, to improve employment outcomes of neurodivergent librarians, including representation, empowerment, equity, belonging, and advancement.
We hope that you will consider participating in this survey, which is informed by 50 interviews we conducted with neurodivergent librarians and 37 interviews with neurotypical librarians. The survey will take 20-30 minutes to complete and additional information is available at the beginning of the survey.
Access the survey here.
The survey will be open for one month, so please try to submit your responses by Sunday, September 15, 2024 when the survey will close.
Please feel free to share this CFP widely with your colleagues!
This research study has been approved by the University of Washington Institutional Review Board. If you have any questions, please contact our research team at neurodiversity@uw.edu.