The UNC School of Information and Library Science (SILS), in collaboration with the Educopia Institute, the BitCurator Consortium, and the Council of State Archivists (CoSA), will study and expand the adoption of digital forensics tools through professional education with the support of an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant worth nearly $500,000
SILS Professor Christopher (Cal) Lee will serve as principal investigator on the project, titled BitCurator.edu. “Education is an essential component of advancing new professional practices, and there have been many important advances in digital forensics education for library and archives professionals in recent years,” Lee said. “This project will investigate and support the implementation of graduate-level educational offerings that make use of digital forensics tools and methods.”
BitCurator.edu will explore the institutional and technological factors that influence adoption of digital forensics tools and methods in library and information science/preservation program classes in different educational settings. Researchers will also work to identify the most viable mechanisms for sustaining collaboration among LIS programs on the adoption of digital forensics tools and methods.
The project team with work with members of an advisory board to test and implement several models for administering digital forensics education. The board represents a diverse set of schools, including Catholic University, Indiana University, New York University (Moving Image Archiving and Preservation Program), San Jose State University, University of Illinois, University of Maryland, University of Michigan, University of Texas, and Wayne State University.
In addition to the advisory board, the project team will benefit from the input and guidance of a professional experts panel of individuals from CoSA, the Digital Library Federation (DLF), the Lyndhurst Group, LYRASIS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), National Museum of American History, and the Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC).
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The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Its mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Its grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow IMLS on Facebook and Twitter.
