My name is Fiona Bradley, and I am the new Deputy Executive Director at RLUK. In this first post, I’d like to share with you my background and interests in research libraries.
Most recently, I worked at the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), managing the Action for Development through Libraries (ALP) strategic programme and capacity building worldwide including through the Building Strong Library Associations programme reaching 80 countries, small grants, and programmes for leadership and international advocacy. Over the past three years I also worked on the inclusion of access to information in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, collaborating with coalitions of member organisations and NGOs, responding to UN consultations, and producing materials for members to help them demonstrate how libraries contribute to national development. Other roles at IFLA included member services, publishing, communication and grant development.
Prior to joining IFLA, I served in a number of roles at the University of Technology Sydney Library with responsibilities for research support, repositories, information literacy, and library management. My qualifications include a Master of Information Management, a MA (by Research) and a BA in Political Science and History.
As new policies, research methods and means of dissemination are changing researcher needs and access to information is evolving rapidly, the expertise of research libraries in curation, negotiating and managing access and leadership provide many opportunities for the sector. Having worked with a breadth of library organisations, issues and contexts I am looking forward to supporting RLUK and its members in demonstrating the value and impact of collections, access, services and leadership which together make leading research libraries essential partners in research excellence in the UK and beyond.
