A $741,000 federal grant will help Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies foster the next generation of electronic science librarians through a doctorate fellowship for advanced e-science.

The program, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, will recruit and educate six doctoral students in growing fields such as scientific research and data management, according to a June 29 news release.

‘The big data issue is a concern of so many people, organizations and societies that it is safe to say that e-science education can be significant and relevant to students in many majors and areas,’ said Ping Zhang, a professor at the iSchool and director of the doctorate program, in an email.

An increasing number of companies are starting to recognize the significance of e-science because of the amount of data and information being collected and produced, she said.

J.D. Ross, director of communications at the iSchool, said e-science is only going to be more important ‘as we push ourselves into the information age.’

Elizabeth Liddy, dean of the iSchool, could not be reached to comment.

The competition for the grant was tough, with just 24 institutions chosen from an applicant pool of more than 110, Zhang said in an email.

The iSchool’s reputation and long track record of training science librarians gave it a competitive edge in the selection process, Ross said.

‘Our motto here at the iSchool is: ‘We’re the original school of the information age,” he said. ‘We’re one of the very first information schools. So certainly, I’m sure, that had a little bit to do with pushing us up.’

SU has an excellent history in research and in securing funding, already supporting master’s-level students specializing in e-science and data management, Zhang said.

‘It is thus very natural that we secure funding to support Ph.D.-level studies,’ she said.

In addition to providing tuition for the doctorate students, the program will cover a stipend, health insurance, student research funds and travel expenses, according to the release. Remaining funds will be applied toward developing an adaptable model for the training of library science professionals and popularizing library sciences, according to the release.

SU plans to match the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ funds and aims to add one student each year once the program is established, according to the release.   

chlevin@syr.edu

Published on August 30, 2011 at 12:00 pm