PhD Candidate in Library and Information Science

PhD candidate in library and information science within the project “Cultural Policy as Security Policy – the Role of Culture in National Preparedness”

The Department of Library and Information Science (The Swedish School of Library and Information Science) at the University of Borås is the largest research and education institution in Sweden in the field of library and information science. Education is offered at all levels: bachelor, master, and doctoral levels.

Library and information science includes the study of the production, organization, storage, dissemination, and use of information in its material forms (documents) as well as the institutions, such as libraries, where this occurs. The subject also encompasses cultural, societal, and technical conditions for these activities, processes, and institutions, which depending on purpose and content can be referred to as information provision or cultural dissemination. Library and information science is related to other disciplines within both social sciences and humanities and technology. We are now seeking a PhD candidate in library and information science. Welcome with your application no later than March 23!

Our Research Environment

Research at the department is mainly organized through a number of research groups, see: research areas (https://www.hb.se/forskning/forskningsportal/forskningomraden/biblioteks--och-informationsvetenskap/). The department also houses the Center for Cultural Policy Research (KPC), the Center for Inclusion Research (INCLUDE), and the Data as Impact Lab. The Swedish School of Library and Information Science has about 700 students and around 15 doctoral candidates, as well as 70 employees, including ten professors and associate professors.

The Swedish School of Library and Information Science is a dynamic and international work environment with well-developed collaboration with Swedish, Nordic, and European universities. The department is a member of the global organization iSchools and is active within the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T). In collaboration with Sida, educational and development work is carried out in several countries. Since 2023, the Swedish School of Library and Information Science coordinates the research school supported by the Swedish Research Council on the transformation of reading and source criticism in digital cultures.

The Department of Library and Information Science is part of the Academy for Library, Information, Pedagogy, and IT at the University of Borås, which, in addition to library and information science, also conducts research and education in informatics and pedagogy.

Job Description

The position as a PhD candidate involves independent doctoral education and covers full-time for four years in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5. There is an opportunity to allocate the position so that it also includes teaching and related administration up to a maximum of 20% of full-time.

Information about the doctoral education in Library and Information Science can be found at: doctoral education (https://www.hb.se/forskning/utbildning-pa-forskarniva/vara-forskarutbildningar/biblioteks--och-informationsvetenskap-/).

Please visit the University of Borås website for doctoral students: PhD Handbook - From Application to Doctorate (https://www.hb.se/forskning/utbildning-pa-forskarniva/vara-forskarutbildningar/biblioteks--och-informationsvetenskap/).

The current PhD position is funded by the Knowledge Foundation within the framework of the foundation's national initiative for so-called Jubilee PhD candidates. See press release: press release (https://via.tt.se/pressmeddelande/3695158/kk-stiftelsen-satsar-170-miljoner-kronor-pa-framtidens-samverkansforskare?publisherId=3236244&lang=sv).

The PhD project is formulated within the framework of the following project description. In a deteriorating security political situation, the need for enhanced preparedness has been highlighted at all levels of society – including within the cultural sector. Historically as well as today, culture is assessed to have the potential to strengthen society's and the individual's resilience and willingness to defend. At the same time, several challenges arise when culture and art are seen as part of civil defense, not least regarding its autonomy. From a research perspective, it is particularly important to study today's focus on security and preparedness in relation to how the Swedish cultural policy system has developed since the 1970s.

The PhD project takes its starting point in the tension between societal mission and autonomy. How is the need of politics to use culture as a tool for national identity creation and cohesion balanced against the need to safeguard the integrity that cultural activities and cultural institutions must possess to maintain their democratic function in Sweden? How are the conditions for cultural institutions and other cultural actors operating in private, non-profit, and public sectors affected when the role of culture in civil defense is to be strengthened?

A key part of the project is collaboration with relevant partners outside academia. These may come from the business sector, the civil sector, and the public sector. Identification of relevant partners will be done together with the supervisors after the project starts. The PhD candidate will, together with their supervisors, be part of a network with other Jubilee PhD candidates and their supervisors who meet at regular gatherings and workshops organized by the Knowledge Foundation.

Qualifications

For information on the qualifications required for the position, see the full advertisement on the university's website: job openings (https://www.hb.se/om-hogskolan/jobba-hos-oss/lediga-anstallningar/).