Information Management Innovation Research Group
Information and communication technologies are ubiquitous and dynamic in nature. Information is created, stored, retrieved, used and shared for personal and social purposes and for increasing organizational efficiency, effectiveness and business competitiveness. This has led to an increased emphasis on roles and responsibilities for information management. Innovation is vital if information professionals are to remain relevant in this dynamic digital world.
The Information Management Innovation (IMI) Research Group conducts research which examines complex issues arising from the interactions between people, information, organizations and technology. We examine its human, social, organizational and political dimensions. Our aim is to inform the development of theory, policy, good practice and information governance for the benefit of a range of audiences. These are: information users, practitioners/professionals, academics and organizational communities.
Our philosophy is to be innovative, creative and critical in our approach to research inquiry. Our strengths are participative and cooperative research using mixed methods including ethnographies, Delphi studies, action research, case studies, community consultations, surveys, systematic literature reviews, modeling, design science and historical research.
We aspire to support library, information, records, systems and technology professionals and the evolution of the information management and systems discipline.
IMI has a track record spanning more than a decade. We have won significant research grants from funding councils, such as the AHRC and EPSRC, and from JISC, Eduserv, the MLA, the National Lottery Heritage Fund/British Library and a wide range of health organizations (e.g. NHS trusts and charities). Research is translated rapidly into practice via Collaborative Innovation Partnerships with companies, e.g. Frank Haslam Milan Ltd. Enterprise activities focus on professional development working with practitioners in the public and private sectors, e.g. the BBC, European Central Bank, The National Archives and Newcastle City Library; Grainger Properties PLC, Koru Property Services Ltd, North Star Housing Group and Vickers (BAe Systems) Ltd.
Our research revolves around three distinctive yet related themes which fosters collaboration and synergies:
Information Behaviour – Information users, use and sharing
Information & Records Management – People, processes, systems and governance
Information Modelling – Workflow and sociotechnical design
Integrating research into teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate level is a key aim of the School.
Our core IMI staff teach mainly in the Business Information Systems and Information and Communication Management subject areas where research is closely integrated into those programmes. Our research also feeds into other University teaching programmes.
