Latest News
Spring 2024 SILS Commencement
May 2, 2024
About the Event May 10, 2024 | 7:00-8:30 p.m. Memorial Hall, UNC Chapel Hill This is a ticketed event. You must have a ticket from a graduating student to attend. Watch Online The event will be live-streamed on YouTube and the recording will b…Read moreBeyond the AI Hype
April 30, 2024
Over the past year or so, conversations about artificial intelligence (AI) have ranged from doomsday prophecies to predictions of a miraculous new way of working. Mohammad Hossein Jarrahi is somewhat frustrated with both. He has spent his career rese…Read more Information Interaction and RetrievalMaster of Science in Information Science (MSIS)
Media and January 6th
April 24, 2024
Recap & Highlights by Felicity Gancedo and Katherine Furl On April 12, the Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life hosted an event entitled Media and January 6th. Many contributors and co-editors of the Media and January 6th volume ga…Read moreRising Star: Xavier Nonez
April 22, 2024
Xavier Nonez (’21) was born and raised in Durham. He grew up playing almost every sport except baseball. Through sports, he developed a passion for teamwork. Nonez hadn’t spent much time outside North Carolina before he graduated from high school, so…Read moreMinor in Information Systems
Rising Star: Alena Manjuck
April 16, 2024
Alena (Principato) Manjuck (MSLS ’17) has loved libraries since childhood. As a library page in her teen years, she realized that working in a library could be a career—and her path was set. Her interest in working in libraries took her first to Lafa…Read moreMaster of Science in Library Science (MSLS)
Moore Making the Most of SILS Education
April 8, 2024
Receiving the SILS Distinguished Alumni Award might seem like a suitable capstone to Anne Cooper Moore’s 40-year library career. After all, she retired from her position as dean of the J. Murrey Atkins Library at UNC Charlotte in December 2023. She s…Read moreMaster of Science in Library Science (MSLS)
Advocates for Inclusion
April 1, 2024
In front of the library entrance at Riverside High School hangs school media coordinator Jenna Wine’s SILS Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Advocate Certificate. Surrounding it are posters that say “This is a safe space” and “Al…Read moreCelebrating Casey Rawson
March 18, 2024
Music plays over the classroom speakers as students enter Casey Rawson’s classroom. Dr. Rawson asks students to send her songs that make them happy at the beginning of the semester, then uses the playlist before the class and during breaks or indepen…Read moreEmerging Library Leader
March 7, 2024
Imagine a vibrant hub where a library seamlessly merges with a community and social services center. Picture a father attending a story time with his child while consulting with a social worker about elder care for his parents. Envision an unhoused t…Read moreDoctor of Philosophy in Information and Library Sciences
Working to Bridge the STEM Gender Gap
February 29, 2024
Technology has been an integral part of Julia Crume’s life from an early age. She grew up playing video games with an older brother who also had a passion for tech and building his own computers. In high school, she attended Mooresville Public High a…Read moreBachelor of Science in Information Science (BSIS)
New Associate Dean of Development
December 11, 2023
Please join us in a warm welcome to Ty Cole. Ty started his new role as Associate Dean of Development at the School of Information and Library Science (SILS) in October 2023. Ty comes to UNC from Penn State University, where he served in three progre…Read moreHail! (But not farewell)
November 30, 2023
Becoming a dean wasn’t in Gary Marchionini’s career plan. A renowned expert in human-information interaction, interface design and testing, and digital libraries, Gary’s primary passions have always centered around writing and teaching. In 2010, howe…Read moreSILS welcomes five new faculty members
May 24, 2023
The UNC-Chapel Hill School of Information and Library Science (SILS) welcomes five new faculty with appointments beginning July 1. Alexandra Chassanoff, William Payne and Joseph Winberry bring expertise in archives and digital curation, inclusive mus…Read moreLouis Rosenfeld to Deliver 2023 SILS Departmental Commencement Address
May 5, 2023
Information architect, author, and publisher Louis Rosenfeld will deliver the 2023 SILS Departmental Commencement keynote address on May 11 in the Dean E. Smith Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus. About Rosenfeld Rosenf…Read moreSILS Associate Professor Lukasz Mazur Awarded 2023 IISE Fellow Award
April 6, 2023
In March, Lukasz Mazur, an associate professor at the UNC School of Information and Library Science and the UNC School of Medicine, was awarded the 2023 IISE Fellow Award. The Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers (IISE), which distributes…Read moreAmy Vincent: Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week
April 6, 2023
Amy Vincent is a Master of Science in Library Science major at the UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS). Vincent’s previous background teaching elementary school brought her to SILS, where she is pursuing her passion to become a Schoo…Read moreMaster of Science in Library Science (MSLS), Masters
Aashka Dave: Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week Feature
April 5, 2023
Aashka Dave is pursuing her Ph.D. in Information and Library Science at the UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS). At SILS, Dave currently conducts research to study how people find information on politically divisive topics. She is al…Read moreDoctor of Philosophy in Information and Library Sciences, Doctoral
Drew Robinson: 2023 Graduate & Professional Student Appreciation Week Feature
April 4, 2023
Drew Robinson is a Master of Science in Information Science major at the UNC School of Information and Library Science. As an undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Robinson received a minor in information science wh…Read moreMaster of Science in Information Science (MSIS), Masters
Donna Nixon (MSLS ‘01) Named 2023 SILS Distinguished Alum
April 3, 2023
The UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) presented the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award to Donna Nixon (MSLS ‘01) on April 1 during the 2023 SILS Dean’s Luncheon. Established in 1981, the Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes alumni wh…Read moreJulie Stivers (MSLS’15) named Library Journal “Mover & Shaker”
March 19, 2023
Julie Stivers (MSLS’15), alumna of the UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) and current librarian at Mount Vernon Middle School in Wake County, N.C., has been named a 2019 “Mover & Shaker” by Library Journal. Click here to read th…Read more Equity and InclusionSILS Congratulates December 2022 Graduates
December 19, 2022
The UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) extends its congratulations to the SILS students that graduated in December 2022. During the University’s winter commencement ceremony, which was held in the Dean E. Smith Center on December 11…Read moreUpcoming Virtual Talk: Designing and Building Tools for Fostering Equity and Inclusion in Civic Decision-Making
November 7, 2022
Designing and Building Tools for Fostering Equity and Inclusion in Civic Decision-Making Narges Mahyar and Ali Sarvghad UMass Amherst Hosted by SILS McColl Term Professor David Gotz When: Monday November 14, 10am-11am Location: Via Zoom @ https://unc…Read moreJoin the SILS Alumni Network on HeelsEngage
November 7, 2022
Over the next few months, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will be rolling out a new networking and career development platform called HeelsEngage. The UNC School of Information and Library Science welcomes all SILS alums to join the U…Read moreDoctoral Student Lan Li Accepted to AIS Entrepreneurial Innovation Fellowship Program
November 7, 2022
UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) third-year doctoral student Lan Li has been accepted into the Association for Information Systems (AIS) Entrepreneurial Innovation Fellowship Program. AIS’s mission is to serve society through the…Read moreAlum Jim Curry (MSLS ‘18) Named Arkansas Library Association Rising Star of the Year
November 4, 2022
SILS alum Jim Curry (MSLS ‘18) received the Rising Star of the Year Award from the Arkansas Library Association (ArLA) during the organization’s annual conference in October. This award recognizes a library worker with fewer than 5 years of experienc…Read moreMSLS Student Yee Wing Chan Awarded MLA Diversity Scholarship Award
November 4, 2022
Yee Wing Chan, a Master of Science in Library Science (MSLS) student at the UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) was awarded the Music Library Association’s (MLA) 2022-23 Diversity Scholarship. MLA is the professional association for…Read moreJoin Triangle UXPA and SILS for World Usability Day 2022
October 27, 2022
Join the UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) and Triangle UXPA for the 2022 Triangle UXPA World Usability Day celebration on November 10th at 6 p.m. at the Carolina Club at UNC – Chapel Hill for networking, dinner, and two speaking s…Read moreAlum Julie Stivers (MSLS ‘15) Named North Carolina Library Media Coordinator of the Year by North Carolina School Library Media Association
October 24, 2022
SILS alum Julie Stivers (MSLS ‘15) received the Media Coordinator of the Year Award by the North Carolina School Library Media Association (NCSLMA). The award is presented annually to a media coordinator, or team of media coordinators at one school,…Read moreSILS Associate Professor Melanie Feinberg Publishes New Book “Everyday Adventures with Unruly Data”
October 11, 2022
The UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) Associate Professor Melanie Feinberg published her new book, Everyday Adventures with Unruly Data, on October 11 through MIT Press. The book comprises a set of essays that explicate and interro…Read moreSILS Professor, CHIP Director Javed Mostafa Awarded Grants to Lead Research Projects on Improving Maternal Health and Veteran Cancer Treatment
October 4, 2022
The UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) Professor Javed Mostafa has been awarded grants from National Institute of Health (NIH) and The Duke Endowment to conduct two research projects centered on improving maternal health informatics…Read moreCongratulations grads: Recognizing SILS December 2021 graduates
December 21, 2021
The UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) extends its congratulations to the SILS students that graduated in December 2021. “On behalf of the SILS faculty, staff, and alumni, I extend my congratulations to all our December 2021 graduat…Read moreEquity in the Making Research Lab developing virtual reality makerspace
December 20, 2021
The Equity in the Making (EITM) Lab, a research lab within the UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS), is working to develop a virtual reality (VR) makerspace lab. Led by Maggie Melo, an assistant professor at SILS, the EITM Lab conduct…Read moreCITAP to co-host conference on “The Capitol Coup One Year Later,” SILS Professor Francesca Tripodi named a keynote speaker
December 17, 2021
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Center for Information, Technology and Public Life (CITAP) and George Washington University’s Institute for Data Democracy & Politics (IDDP) announced they will co-host a two-day conference titled…Read moreDavid Gotz named McColl Term Professor, promoted to full professorship
November 1, 2021
David Gotz, associate professor at the UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS), has been appointed to serve as the next Frances Carroll McColl Term Professor through July 2023. Additionally, Gotz has been promoted to full professor at SI…Read moreFrancesca Tripodi, co-researchers receive $750k NSF grant for research project on misinformation
October 29, 2021
False news is everywhere, and a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is exploring ways to help people sort through the swarm of bad information. Francesca Tripodi, an assistant professor at the UNC School of Information and Li…Read moreRegister now for the Symposium on AI and Knowledge Work
August 30, 2021
As part of its 90th anniversary celebration, the UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) is hosting a year-long examination of how technological developments and social upheavals, including those ushered by the COVID-19 pandemic, will sh…Read moreNext SILS faculty ‘Ask Me Anything’ on Friday
August 26, 2021
As part of its 90th anniversary celebration, the UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) is hosting a series of faculty Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions. The next event on Friday, Aug. 27, will feature SILS Associate Professor Jaime Arguel…Read moreFirst SILS faculty ‘Ask Me Anything’ on Friday
August 19, 2021
As part of its 90th anniversary celebration, the UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) is hosting a series of faculty Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions, starting Friday, Aug. 20. The first event will feature SILS Alumni Distinguished Prof…Read moreFall welcome message from Dean Gary Marchionini
August 18, 2021
Gary Marchionini, Dean and Cary C. Boshamer Distinguished Professor at the UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS), sent the following message to SILS students, faculty, and staff on August 18, the first day of classes for the fall 2021…Read moreTressie McMillan Cottom pens cover story for Vanity Fair
August 6, 2021
Tressie McMillan Cottom, Associate Professor at the UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS), spent part of her summer interviewing musician and mogul Sean Combs and writing an expansive profile of “the original influencer,” which became…Read moreInformation systems minor Xavier Nonez awarded Harvey Beech Scholarship
April 21, 2020
Xavier Nonez, a junior minoring in information systems at the UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS), was one of three students awarded the UNC Harvey Beech Scholarship in 2020. Nonez is majoring in business administration and plans to…Read moreAuthor, professor, and sociologist Tressie McMillan Cottom joining SILS and CITAP
April 16, 2020
Author, professor, sociologist, and National Book Award finalist Tressie McMillan Cottom will join the faculty of the UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) as an associate professor, effective July 1. McMillan Cottom will be affiliated…Read moreZeynep Tufekci: “It Wasn’t Just Trump Who Got It Wrong”
March 24, 2020
In her latest contribution to The Atlantic, UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) Associate Professor Zeynep Tufekci explains that the COVID-19 crisis engulfing the United States is not only a failure of leadership, but also the result…Read moreCarolina Student Impact Fund to help students affected by COVID-19
March 23, 2020
Carolina students facing financial hardships because of the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak can apply for assistance through the Carolina Student Impact Fund. The fund helps students who budgeted carefully for the semester but are now facing unexpec…Read moreZeynep Tufekci: “Why Telling People They Didn’t Need Masks Backfired”
March 17, 2020
In her latest op-ed for the New York Times, UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) Associate Professor Zeynep Tufekci explains why telling people they didn’t need masks to protect themselves from coronavirus COVID-19 misfired and possib…Read moreSILS alumna Meredith Evans (PhD ’06) to deliver keynote at University hooding ceremony
February 27, 2020
Meredith R. Evans, Director of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta(link is external), will give the keynote address at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s 2020 Doctoral Hooding Ceremony on May 9. Evans earned her…Read moreZeynep Tufekci explains how Coronavirus may have exposed “Authoritarianism’s Fatal Flaw”
February 25, 2020
In her latest column for The Atlantic, UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) Associate Professor Zeynep Tufekci argues that China’s increased use of surveillance and censorship may have prevented its leader from recognizing the Coronav…Read moreDavid Gotz and Ray Wang awarded grant to create integrated data visualization prototype
February 25, 2020
UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) faculty members David Gotz and Yue “Ray” Wang have been awarded over $200,000 in grant funding to develop a system that will allow users to bring unstructured contextual information into structured…Read moreThree information science majors awarded scholarships from SILS
February 18, 2020
The UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) recently awarded $1,000 scholarships to three information science majors: Solomon Duncan, Laura Haller, and Rachael Head. SILS annually confers the merit-based scholarships to recently admitted…Read moreBachelor of Science in Information Science (BSIS)
Javed Mostafa and Saif Khairat discuss health informatics on Focus Carolina
February 18, 2020
Javed Mostafa, Director of the Carolina Health Informatics Program (CHIP), and CHIP core faculty member Saif Khairat were recently featured on Focus Carolina, a program on WCHL radio that highlights important research at UNC-Chapel Hill. Mostafa disc…Read more Health InformaticsCarolina Health Informatics Program (CHIP)
19 times SILS students were awesome in 2019
December 27, 2019
UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) faculty and staff know that our students are pretty great every day and have been awesome way more than 19 times this year, but here are 19 quick summaries of events where they shined or recognitio…Read moreCongratulations to SILS winter graduates
December 21, 2019
Congratulations to the UNC School of Information and Library Science winter graduates! SILS grads from August 2019, December 2019, and May 2020 will be recognized at the SILS Spring Commencement on May 7, 2020. Bachelor of Science in Information Scie…Read moreBachelor of Science in Information Science (BSIS), Doctor of Philosophy in Information and Library Sciences, Master of Science in Information Science (MSIS), Master of Science in Library Science (MSLS)
2019 News and Highlights
December 20, 2019
The UNC School of Information and Library Science had another great year in 2019. Watch this short video with some of the most memorable news and events.…Read moreImportant year-end gift deadlines and reminders
December 19, 2019
Friends and alumni who wish to make a gift to the UNC School of Information and Library Science for 2019 should take note of important year-end deadlines to ensure your gift qualifies as tax deductible contribution for this year. Credit card gifts ca…Read moreSILS statement on the Silent Sam settlement
December 6, 2019
The faculty of the School of Information and Library Science (SILS) condemn the recent decision to give UNC Chapel Hill funds to a private organization for the purpose of erecting a memorial to the Confederacy. To fund an organization with documented…Read moreSILS remembers Evelyn Daniel
December 3, 2019
Evelyn H. Daniel, PhD, Dean and Professor Emerita of the UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS), passed away on November 24, 2019. Click here to read her obituary. SILS Dean Gary Marchionini shared the following message with friends and…Read moreCITAP seeks executive director and program associate
November 19, 2019
The Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life (CITAP) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is searching for outstanding candidates to fill the roles of executive director and program associate. The Center, which launched in Ju…Read moreSILS undergraduate Michael Doucette profiled by Endeavors
November 14, 2019
Michael Doucette, a senior double majoring in information science and interdisciplinary studies, discusses his research and the journey he took to get there with Endeavors. “I got involved with a lab in the psychology department, which allowed me to…Read moreBachelor of Science in Information Science (BSIS)
Zeynep Tufekci: “The Hong Kong Protesters Aren’t Driven by Hope”
November 14, 2019
In a recent article in The Atlantic, UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) Associate Professor Zeynep Tufekci paints a chilling picture of the Hong Kong protests, one full of fear, violence, and without an end in sight. Tufekci walked…Read morePaul Jones discusses the past and future of the internet with Well Said and Popular Mechanics
November 7, 2019
Carolina’s Well Said podcast recently interviewed UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS) Professor Paul Jones and RENCI Senior Research Software Architect Michael Shoffner about the first radio broadcast streamed over the internet on No…Read more