We asked our LITA Midwinter Workshop Presenters to tell us a little more about themselves and what to expect from their workshops in January. This week, we’re hearing from Wayne Johnston, who will be presenting the workshop:
Developing mobile apps to support field research
(For registration details, please see the bottom of this blog post)
LITA: Can you tell us a little more about you?
Wayne: I am currently Head of Research Enterprise and Scholarly Communication at the University of Guelph Library. Prior to joining the Library I worked for the United Nations in both New York and Geneva. My international experience includes work I’ve done in Ghana, Nepal, Croatia and Canada’s Arctic.
LITA: Who is your target audience for this workshop?
Wayne: I think this workshop will be most relevant to academic librarians who are supporting research activity on their campuses. It may be of particular interest to those working in research data management. Beyond that, anyone interested in mobile technology and/or open source software will find the workshop of interest.
LITA: How much experience with programming do attendees need to succeed in the workshop?
Wayne: None whatsoever. Some experience with examples of field research undertaken by faculty and/or graduate students would be useful.
LITA: If you were a character from the Marvel or Harry Potter universe, which would it be, and why?
Wayne: How about the Silver Surfer? By living vicariously through the field research I support I feel that I glide effortlessly to the far corners of the world.
LITA: Name one concrete thing your attendees will be able to take back to their libraries after participating in your workshop.
Wayne: You will be equipped to enable researchers on your campus to dispense with paper data collection and discover new efficiencies and data security by using mobile technology.
LITA: What kind of gadgets/software do your attendees need to bring?
Wayne: Nothing required but any mobile devices would be advantageous. If possible, have an app that enables you to read QR codes.
LITA: Respond to this scenario: You’re stuck on a desert island. A box washes ashore. As you pry off the lid and peer inside, you begin to dance and sing, totally euphoric. What’s in the box?
Wayne: A bottle of craft beer.
More information about Midwinter Workshops.
