Library and Information Science
The research deals with the conditions and methods for individuals and organisations when it comes to obtaining the required/relevant information for various activities, education, or experiences. The area focuses on Library and Information Services as well as how individuals and organisations seek, use, and access information. These issues are studied at both the micro and macro level; also included are cultural and information policy issues.
Since the 90s, the University of Borås has offered doctoral education studies in library and information science. For years, this was in collaboration with the University of Gothenburg; since 2010, the university has had its own rights to grant doctoral degrees.
From the beginning, there has been a strong research environment and doctoral education programme at the University of Borås, which has meant that we have, for some time, been able to offer a complete education and research environment within library and information science. The doctoral programme is the largest and oldest in the area in Sweden. Since its inception, the doctoral programme has generated nearly 40 doctoral theses altogether.
The research environment in Library and Information Science in Borås includes the following more specific subareas and research groups:
- Information Practices (including information retrieval, information usage, and strategic information management)
- Digital resources and services within culture and information (including, among others, the organisation of knowledge, bibliometric IR, and information management)
- Library, culture, and society (including reading research as well as cultural and information policy)
To lead the research and the doctoral education programme, there are seven professors full-time or part-time (including two Emerita/Emeritus), four associate professors, and a number of senior postdoctoral researchers. There are 15-20 doctoral students currently at the university in this field.
The doctoral programme is headed by a senior scientific leader and a Research Education Committee with participation from the university's Research and Education Board. A Director of Studies is also associated with the doctoral education programme.
Doctoral education takes four years full-time, yet it is usually the case that doctoral students are involved in teaching or administrative work for 20% of their employment, bringing the total to five years to receive a doctorate. The programme consists of 90 ECTS of doctoral courses and 150 ECTS credits for one's own research.
The final work can take the form of a monograph thesis (dissertation) or a so-called compilation thesis in which articles are combined with an introductory and summarising chapter, a "kappa." The thesis is defended at a public defence. A principal supervisor and at least one assistant supervisor lead, support, and challenge the doctoral student during the study period.
In order to be admitted to the doctoral education programme within the library and information science, you must have an advanced degree in the field or within a related discipline judged relevant for the educational programme. The admissions process means an examination in which candidates are assessed based on ability and conditions required to complete the programme. Doctoral students must have good capabilities with the English language; for most of the posts, it is also necessary to be fluent in Swedish or another Scandinavian language.
Doctoral education in Sweden is free of charge for the student. However, doctoral students' living costs must be guaranteed either by a doctoral studentship (employment as a doctoral student) at the University of Borås or employment at another institution, organisation, authority, or company.
Director of Studies: Ola Pilerot, Professor
