SILS graduate works for Nobel Peace Prize winning organization

Anthony “Tony” Bull has worked at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since graduating from the School of Information and Library Science (SILS) with an MSIS in May 2003. In October 2005, the IAEA and its director were recognized as Nobel Peace Prize laureates when the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the prize to IAEA, located in Vienna, Austria, and its Director General, Mohamed ElBaradei for their work of “incalculable importance.”

The Nobel Foundation recognized the organization and its director for “their efforts to prevent nuclear energy from being used for military purposes and to ensure that nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is used in the safest possible way.” This award comes during a period of nuclear threats and the Foundation, wanted to acknowledge the importance of promoting peace through “international cooperation.” The prize was presented at the awards ceremony on December 10, 2005 in Oslo, Norway.

Bull is currently a developer for a project management Web application which is used for approximately 1,400 projects around the world. The system manages everything from organizing the logistics of nuclear knowledge exchange to the delivery of X-Ray machines to the training of the next generation of nuclear scientists.

“Although I'm primarily involved in the technical aspects of Web development, I do get a chance to practice the user-centered design and information architecture skills I learned while at SILS,” Bull said. “One of the larger responsibilities I've had since being with ‘the Agency' was managing a cross-departmental project to bring several hundred information resources together.”

"Tony was an active leader during his time at SILS, serving as ASIST Student Chapter President, and organizing an alumni mentoring program for students," said Dr. Gary Marchionini, Cary C. Boshamer Distinguished Professor. "His dedication to information to serve human needs was apparent during his studies here and it is no surprise that he is involved with an agency that has been honored for advancing the cause of international peace. He is an inspiration for informational professionals everywhere."