Spring Forum 2022: Jane Morgan-Daniel et al: Integrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Principles into Instruction: Case Studies from the University of Florida’s Health Science Center Libraries

Jane Morgan-Daniel, Community Engagement and Health Literacy Liaison Librarian, University of Florida ; Lauren E. Adkins, College of Pharmacy Liaison Librarian , University of Florida ; Mary E. Edwards, Associate University Librarian , University of Florida ; Hannah F. Norton, Chair, Health Science Center Library, Gainesville, University of Florida

Abstract

Although the librarians at the University of Florida Health Science Center Libraries have always strived to make their instruction sessions welcoming for all learners, we have recently begun to intentionally incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles into our teaching during both the design and implementation. The team is also starting to integrate critical librarianship perspectives into our teaching practices – critical librarianship encompasses DEI concepts, as well as elements of critical theory, critical literacy, and critical information literacy.

This presentation will provide an overview of our approaches to inclusive teaching, while also focusing on how these principles are being incorporated into a variety of sessions including one shot, course-integrated, and credit bearing courses. Four examples of instruction will be discussed: 1) an annual workshop for Physical Therapy students on health literacy and its association with patients’ diverse identities, which involves patient scenarios and hand-on experience with selecting education materials appropriate for the patients’ cultural context and health literacy levels; 2) a librarian-taught one-credit course for public health students, which was revised to create a more inviting syllabus and integrate elements of universal design; 3) an annual project for first year medical students in their health outcomes and policy intensive course, which involves highlighting health disparities and community resources; and 4) piloting the application of critical librarianship principles in library standalone sessions on database searching and reference management, with a planned future survey to assess impact.

Biographies

Jane Morgan-Daniel (she/her) is the Community Engagement and Health Literacy Librarian at the University of Florida’s Health Science Center Libraries (HSCL), where she is also the Liaison Librarian for the Departments of Health Education and Behavior, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and the Rehabilitation Science Program. Jane is Chair of the Medical Library Association’s (MLA) DEI Committee, an active member of MLA’s LGBTQIA+ Caucus, and previously served on the MLA Diversity and Inclusion Task Force (2017-2020).

At her own institution, Jane established and led HSCL’s DEI Team (2018-2020). Her research interests include identifying and meeting the health information needs of underrepresented communities, DEI in health librarianship, health literacy, consumer health, and allied health librarianship.

Hannah F. Norton (she/her) is Chair of the University of Florida Health Science Center Library in Gainesville where she also serves as liaison librarian for the College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medicine, and one year of medical students.

She serves on her library’s Usability Committee, Assessment Team, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team.

Hannah’s research interests include health information outreach, assessment of library services, library support for research data management, and library as place.

Mary Edwards, Associate University Librarian, is a Liaison and Reference Librarian at the University of Florida Health Science Center Library (HSCL), where she has worked since 2004. Mary holds a MLIS and in 2011 she earned a doctorate (EdD) in Educational Technology from the University of Florida.

Mary liaises to a number of clinical and research departments in the Colleges of Medicine and Public Health and Health Professions. As part of her liaison duties Mary collaborates on instruction and research with faculty from her departments as well as pursuing her own research interests in instructional design, online teaching and learning, distance education, program evaluation, and new literacies including media, digital, and information.

Lauren Adkins (she/her), Assistant University Librarian, is the Liaison Librarian for the University of Florida College of Pharmacy and the department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics in the College of Medicine. Lauren is currently Chair of the HSCL’s DEI Team, a member of the Marketing Team, and serves on a number of committees involved in engagement and outreach.

Lauren’s research interests include pharmacy librarianship, health information outreach, and DEI initiatives. She also collaborates with her liaison groups on instruction and evidence syntheses.

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All Aboard! Destination: Inclusive Teaching

UHMLG’s 2022 Spring Forum brings together a range of fantastic speakers to discuss topics in the arena of pedagogy in librarianship, with a particular focus on inclusivity. The conferences spans two half days (7 – 8 April, 2022), it’s free, online, and registration is open – our core audience is UK / Republic of Ireland health and medical librarians from the Higher Education and NHS / health sectors, but we welcome delegates from any area of librarianship, and from anywhere in the world.

More Information / Book Your Place

For full information about the conference, and to book your place, please visit our Spring Forum 2022 page.