• Helen Partridge, P. Hider, S. Burford, L. Ellis and C. Munro
• Australian Learning & Teaching Council

DiscussionPaper2_A profile of information educators_FINAL

Image: Old Shoe Woman / flickr

25 March 2011Australian educators are ageing and this is a significant issue facing the future of the profession.

Whilst research exploring the nature and characteristics of information professionals abound both here in Australia and elsewhere, very little is known about the people who are responsible for information education.

Given that the future of Australia’s information industry hinges in large measure on the quality of new graduates entering the profession, it would be seem useful therefore to have a well informed understanding of the people who educate and train these graduates. This paper contributes to advancing understanding of an as yet poorly understood but vital part of the information profession, its educators. Preliminary findings from a recent study aimed at establishing a profile of Australian information educators are provided. It must be emphasised that
this is an initial examination of data obtained, and further analysis will be provided at a later date. The results of this study will contribute to the workforce planning of Australia’s information educators.

This is the second paper from the project: Framework for the Education of the Information Professions in Australia

Authors: Partridge, H., Hider, P., Burford, S. Ellis, L. & Munro, C. 

Photo: Old Shoe Woman / flickr