Paul Blake and Vincent Cassidy, co-chairs of the London Info International Conference, have announced the conference themes for this year’s event. The overall aim of the conference is to create a platform for the information community to discuss, digest and influence the forces that are shaping the landscape.
The rise of the user
In 2016, the ‘rise of the user’ sees millions of research professionals connected to each other and to content in a way that challenges the status quo. Deep structural trends are intensifying the strain on traditional information distribution models, creating opportunity and risk in equal measure.
The growth of Open Access, driven by funding mandates and the sheer volume of research output, is putting pressure on long-standing channel and institutional relationships. There is also the threat of the ‘napsterisation’ of our industry as we face Sci-Hub and other darker sides to the culture of Open Science. Meanwhile shifts in technology, user behaviour, demographics and funding areleading to intriguing new challenges for information services – at a time when there is increasing demand to demonstrate value.
Making better choices and decisions
How do we navigate a path through this changing landscape? How can we harness the insight in our collective experiences? How can we make better choices and decisions?
Our conference will attempt to answer these questions by bringing together a broad range of voices and opinions across our industry – to learn from one another, share insight and discuss approaches to managing change.
Our conference will also be a celebration of what makes us special. We believe information professionals bring a unique skillset to their organisations and our conference will celebrate their adaptability, resilience and creativity.
The key themes for the conference are:
- The rise of the user – how traditional scientific discourse is being transformed by the social world
- Information everywhere – strategies for reaching the mobile worker
- Open Access, open science and the rights struggle – whose content is it anyway?
- Managing change in a fast moving world – optimising information delivery through shifts in technology, user behaviour and funding
- Big data goes real time – deriving value from large, fast-changing data sets
- Universities as publishers – a library inspired ‘counter revolution’
- Big platform publishing – making sense of the tech industry’s move into the publishing business
- Demonstrating value – how analytics can give information services a measurable and indisputable value
- Advanced internet searching for today’s information professional – tools and techniques.
We’re planning an inclusive event. Our invitation to participate is open to everyone in the information world. We’re looking for real-world experiences, insightful stories, unique perspectives and good work – whether you’re a senior information professional, midway in your information career or just starting out.
Submit a speaker proposal
In chairing the conference, we see ourselves as acting as a conduit to bring the information community together – and, by submitting a speaker proposal, you’ll have the chance to create with us a unique and special event.
On our conference website, you’ll find a full list of themes, as well as an online form to submit your speaker proposal. The deadline for submissions is Friday June 17. At this time, we’re just looking for three or four paragraphs outlining your idea.
We’re looking forward to seeing your proposals.
Paul Blake
Vincent Cassidy
Co-chairs, London Info International conference
London Info International
6th and 7th December 2016
ExCeL, London, UK
