Learning & Research Librarian for Sociology, Criminology and Forensic Investigation and the School of Engineering, Technology and Design

You can book an appointment with me using the blue buttons below. Different times and dates are available whether you want to see me in person at Augustine House or online using Microsoft Teams.

Ruth CollingwoodLearning & Research Librarian
In-person meetingOnline meeting

Location: Canterbury

Email: ruth.collingwood@canterbury.ac.uk

Profile summary

I am the Learning & Research Librarian for Sociology, Criminology and Forensic Investigation and the School of Engineering, Technology and Design. I provide one-to-one research and information skills support for undergraduate, postgraduate, research students and academic staff. I work with academic staff to embed tailored information and digital literacy skills in the curriculum. I am passionate about the transformative power of libraries and enjoy helping students to develop information and critical thinking skills for their studies and beyond.

I studied Sociology (BA Hons) and English Literature (MA) at the University of Sussex before completing an MA in Information Studies at the University of Brighton. I joined CCCU in 2020, having spent 11 years working as an Academic Librarian at the University of the Arts London, supporting students across a broad range of subject areas in art and design.

I completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PgCert) in 2015 and am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Completing the PG Cert allowed me to reflect on my own teaching and professional practice, providing me with a greater understanding of learning and teaching within the wider context of the university and of higher education more generally.

My areas of research interest include compassionate pedagogy, widening participation, decolonisation, visual literacy and zines/self-publishing in libraries and their use in teaching and learning.

My current working days are Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9am-4.30pm (flex)

Publications

Collingwood, R. and Kassir, L. (2018) ‘Gathering the margins: the London College of Communication Library Zine Collection’ Art Libraries Journal, Vol.43 special issue 2, April 2018

Sajeva, M. and Collingwood, R. (2018) ‘Practice: Special Collections and Decolonisation’, LCC Library, London

Conferences

Collaborating to Liberate: liberating the curriculum’ London College of Communication Teaching and Learning Conference, University of the Arts London, 1 May 2019

‘Empowering marginalised voices in library collections’ Towards a critical (art) librarianship conference, Chelsea College of Art and Design, University of the Arts London, 25 May 2018