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SIS Names First Doreen E. Boyce Chair
in Library and Information Science

Jose´-Marie GriffithsJose´-Marie Griffiths (pictured at left), chief information officer and professor of information science at the University of Michigan, has been named the first holder of the Doreen E. Boyce Chair in Library and Information Science in the School of Information Sciences (SIS) at the University of Pittsburgh.

The Buhl Foundation endowed the chair at the University. Named in honor of Doreen E. Boyce, the Buhl Foundation president, the chair is one of a few in the nation established specifically for library and information. At the time of its endowment in 1998, the Boyce Chair was believed to be one of the first in the country funded by a foundation in honor of a professional staff member. It also was the first chair in SIS.

“We are delighted to have someone with the outstanding international reputation and qualifications of Dr. Griffiths join the faculty of the School of Information Sciences,” said SIS Dean Toni Carbo. “Our goal is to be the best in the world in integrating people, technology, and knowledge for problem solving, decision making, and learning, and Dr. Griffiths will help us achieve that goal.”

Griffiths also has been named the first director of the Sara Fine Institute for Interpersonal Behavior and Technology, which was established to provide a forum for scholars and professionals to address issues relating to the human aspects of an increasingly technological society. Griffiths also will be an associate of the University’s Learning Research and Development Center, and additional joint appointments with other schools are anticipated.

“I am excited by the opportunities at the University of Pittsburgh for interdisciplinary scholarship on the human experience with technology,” said Griffiths. “After spending the last nine years in academic and information technology administration, I have developed a wealth of practical knowledge about the development, management, and use of technology. Now I’ll be able to consider in more detail how people develop and use technology and how technology availability and use affects people as individuals, in groups, and communities.”

Griffiths’ previous positions include: vice chancellor for Information Infrastructure and director of the School of Information Sciences at the University of Tennessee; vice president of information systems: planning, design & development, for King Research, Inc. of Rockville, Md.; adjunct professor at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.; and visiting professor at UC Berkeley.

Included among her many honors are: a National Commission on Library and Information Science appointment by President Clinton; both the Award of Merit and the Research Award, American Society for Information Science; Top 25 Women on the Web Award; Special Libraries Association special recognition for research; Outstanding Faculty Member, University of Tennessee; and several National Communicator Awards.

Griffiths holds a B.S. in physics and a Ph.D. in information science, both from University College London.