Professor in Comms., Media and Culture
Communications, Media and Culture Division of Communications, Media and Culture School of Arts & Humanities University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4JA
Professor of Human Information Behaviour within the Division of Communications, Media and Culture, University of Stirling. Previously Head of Human Information Behaviour research within the University of Strathclyde iSchool.
My human information behaviour research examines how and why people seek information (or not), and effective channels and sources of information, and influencing factors. I explore complex access and internalised behavioural factors, the former influenced by technology and literacy issues, the latter by social structures and norms. My work provides insight into what information to provide, to whom, and how. Much of my work addresses the enduring limitations of mass communication strategies, informing targeted interventions both physical and digital (and interplays between) in the socio-ecological context. Much recent work has examined information behaviours within marginalised and/or disadvantaged groups, and has been funded by ESRC, AHRC, and Scottish Government.
Indicative recent work includes a three-year ESRC funded project working with young first-time mothers from areas of multiple deprivations. The work has provided theoretical and practical insight into the complexity of young mothers' information needs, their information behaviours, and the various factors influencing behaviours. Further recent studies include work with children, Muslim women, unemployed adolescents, incarcerated men, and community health and social care workers in areas of multiple deprivations.
My research has significant practical application and impact, informing both policy and practice. I have contributed to a number of public and third sector advisory boards including current membership of the NHS Scotland Research and Improvement Advisory Group for the Family Nurse Partnership programme. Recent work defining the key role of health and social care professionals as information intermediaries has been adopted by the Scottish Government as a key action in their national Health Literacy Action Plan 2017-25.
Conference Paper (unpublished)
Understanding and supporting the information needs of young fathers: action planning
Buchanan S (2023) Understanding and supporting the information needs of young fathers: action planning. NHS Scotland Family Nurse Partnership National Conference, Edinburgh, 16.03.2023-16.03.2023.
Conference Proceeding
Buchanan S & Husain Z (2022) Digital Participation, Surveillance, and Agency: Insights into the Role of Digital Literacy to Manage Risk. In: Kurbanoğlu S, Špiranec S, Ünal Y, Boustany J & Kos D (eds.) Information Literacy in a Post-Truth Era. Communications in Computer and Information Science, 1533. 7th European Conference on Information Literacy (ECIL 2021), Bamberg, Germany, 20.09.2021-23.09.2021. Cham, Switzerland: Springer, pp. 719-729. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99885-1_59
Article
Exploring the early manifestation of information poverty in young children
Breslin Davda F & Buchanan S (2022) Exploring the early manifestation of information poverty in young children. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000622113107
Article
The Information Behaviours of Disadvantaged Young First-time Mothers
Buchanan S & Jardine C (2022) The Information Behaviours of Disadvantaged Young First-time Mothers. Journal of Documentation. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-03-2022-0072
Article
Buchanan S & Husain Z (2022) The social media use of Muslim women in the Arabian Peninsula: insights into self-protective information behaviours. Journal of Documentation, 78 (4), pp. 817-834. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-07-2021-0136
Book Chapter
Canning C & Buchanan S (2021) Exploring the rehabilitative cultural role of the prison library: addressing sensitive information needs via cultural activities.. In: Garner J (ed.) Exploring the roles and practices of libraries in prisons: International Perspectives. Advances in Librarianship, 49. Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. pp. 11-37. https://books.emeraldinsight.com/page/detail/Exploring-the-Roles-and-Practices-of-Libraries-in-Prisons/?k=9781800438613
Article
Buchanan S & Jardine C (2020) The complex information needs of disadvantaged young first-time mothers: insights into multiplicity of needs. Journal of Documentation, 76 (6), pp. 1135-1153. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-07-2019-0142
Research Report
Buchanan S (2020) Getting it right first time: understanding and supporting the information needs of disadvantaged young first-time mothers [Public report for UK Economic and Social Research project ES/L012634/1]. Public report for UK Economic and Social Research project ES/L012634/1. Economic and Social Research Council.
Conference Proceeding
Mcmenemy D & Buchanan S (2019) Character building in childrens’ online information behaviours: applying a virtue epistemology perspective to information literacy.. In: Kurbanoğlu S, Špiranec S, Ünal Y, Boustany J, Huotari M, Grassian E, Mizrachi D & Roy L (eds.) Information Literacy in Everyday Life. Communications in Computer and Information Science, 989. ECIL 2018: 6th European Conference on Information Literacy, Oulu, Finland, 24.09.2018-27.09.2018. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Verlag, pp. 73-82. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-13472-3_7
Conference Proceeding
Buchanan S & Nicol E (2019) Developing Health Information Literacy in Disadvantaged and Dependent Circumstances: The Everyday Role of Family Nurses. In: Kurbanoğlu S, Špiranec S, Ünal Y, Boustany J, Huotari M, Grassian E, Mizrachi D & Roy L (eds.) Information Literacy in Everyday Life. Communications in Computer and Information Science, 989. ECIL 2018: 6th European Conference on Information Literacy, Oulu, Finland, 24.09.2018-27.09.2018. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, pp. 124-135. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-13472-3_12
Article
Buchanan S & Nicol E (2019) Developing health information literacy in disengaged at-risk populations: Insights to inform interventions. Journal of Documentation, 75 (1), pp. 172-189. https://doi.org/10.1108/jd-06-2018-0086
Article
Canning C & Buchanan S (2019) The information behaviours of maximum security prisoners: Insights into self-protective behaviours and unmet needs. Journal of Documentation, 75 (2), pp. 417-434. https://doi.org/10.1108/jd-06-2018-0085
Article
Buchanan S, Jardine C & Ruthven I (2019) Information behaviors in disadvantaged and dependent circumstances and the role of information intermediaries. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 70 (2), pp. 117-129. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.24110
Conference Proceeding
Buchanan S, Jardine C & Ruthven I (2018) Developing Information Literacy in Dependent and Disadvantaged Circumstances: A Transitional Approach in the Digital Health Context. In: Kurbanoğlu S, Boustany J, Špiranec S, Grassian E, Mizrachi D & Roy L (eds.) Information Literacy in the Workplace. Communications in Computer and Information Science, 810. ECIL 2017: 5th European Conference on Information Literacy, Saint-Malo, France, 18.09.2017-21.09.2017. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Verlag, pp. 409-418. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74334-9_43
Article
Ruthven I, Buchanan S & Jardine C (2018) Isolated, overwhelmed, and worried: Young first-time mothers asking for information and support online. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 69 (9), pp. 1073-1083. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.24037
Article
Ruthven I, Buchanan S & Jardine C (2018) Relationships, environment, health and development: The information needs expressed online by young first-time mothers. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 69 (8), pp. 985-995. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.24024
Article
Summers S & Buchanan S (2018) Public Libraries as Cultural Hubs in Disadvantaged Communities: Developing and Fostering Cultural Competencies and Connections. Library Quarterly, 88 (3), pp. 286-302. https://doi.org/10.1086/697707
Keynote
The Information Behaviours of Young Mothers
Buchanan S (2017) The Information Behaviours of Young Mothers. 2nd Bridging Theory and Practice in Information Science (BTAP-IS 2017), Scottish Universities Insight Institute, Glasgow UK, 16.11.2017.
Conference Paper (unpublished)
Meaningful Digital Health Interventions: Bridging Digital Divides via Tailored Design
Buchanan S (2017) Meaningful Digital Health Interventions: Bridging Digital Divides via Tailored Design. 8th Annual Innovation in Healthcare Delivery Systems 2017 Symposium, Austin, TX, 06.04.2017-07.04.2017. https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/~/media/Files/MSB/Centers/HealthcareInitiativeResponsive/2017%20Symposium/2017%20Abstracts/Buchanan_Meaningful%20Digital%20Health%20Interventions.pdf
Article
The everyday life information seeking behaviours of first-time mothers
Loudon K, Buchanan S & Ruthven I (2016) The everyday life information seeking behaviours of first-time mothers. Journal of Documentation, 72 (1), pp. 24-46. https://doi.org/10.1108/jd-06-2014-0080
Article
The information behaviours of disadvantaged and disengaged adolescents
Buchanan S & Tuckerman L (2016) The information behaviours of disadvantaged and disengaged adolescents. Journal of Documentation, 72 (3), pp. 527-548. https://doi.org/10.1108/jd-05-2015-0060
Keynote
Information Literacy in Impoverished Circumstances: Insights from Information Behaviour Research
Buchanan S (2016) Information Literacy in Impoverished Circumstances: Insights from Information Behaviour Research. 2nd Annual Scottish Library and Information Council Digital and Information literacy Symposium, Glasgow, UK, 18.11.2016. http://scottishlibraries.org/event/digital-and-information-literacy-symposium/
Lecture
Buchanan S (2016) Health Information Behaviours: understanding the information intermediary role in the information search process. (Presentation) National Health Service Education Knowledge into Action (K2A) Expert Webex, 09.11.2016. http://www.knowledge.scot.nhs.uk/together/knowledge-into-action/events-and-meetings/k2a-expert---dr-steven-buchanan.aspx
Conference Paper (unpublished)
Health Information Seeking Behaviours
Buchanan S (2016) Health Information Seeking Behaviours. National Health Service Education Scotland Health Literacy Conference, Edinburgh, UK, 26.10.2016.
Keynote
Understanding the Information Needs of Young Mothers from Areas of Multiple Deprivations
Buchanan S, Ruthven I, Jardine C & Louden K (2016) Understanding the Information Needs of Young Mothers from Areas of Multiple Deprivations. Bridging Theory and Practice in Information Science (BTAP-IS 2016), Scottish Universities Insight Institute, Glasgow UK, 15.06.2016.
Conference Paper (unpublished)
Buchanan S, Louden K & Tuckerman L (2015) Reaching the disadvantaged and disengaged in times of crisis: towards an understanding of information behaviours to inform interventions. International Federation Library Associations World Library Information Congress (IFLA WLIC 2015), Cape Town, South Africa, 15.08.2015.
Conference Paper (unpublished)
Louden K & Buchanan S (2015) First-time mother syndrome: first-time mothers’ information practices and their relationships with healthcare professionals.. Information Interactions and Impact (i3 2015), Aberdeen, UK, 23.06.2015-26.06.2015.
Article
Using internet groups in situations of information poverty: Topics and information needs
Hasler L, Ruthven I & Buchanan S (2014) Using internet groups in situations of information poverty: Topics and information needs. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 65 (1), pp. 25-36. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.22962
Article
Digital Library Collaboration: A Service-Oriented Perspective
Buchanan S, Gibb F, Simmons S & McMenemy D (2012) Digital Library Collaboration: A Service-Oriented Perspective. The Library Quarterly, 82 (3), pp. 337-359. https://doi.org/10.1086/665930
Article
Digital service analysis and design: The role of process modelling
Buchanan S & McMenemy D (2012) Digital service analysis and design: The role of process modelling. International Journal of Information Management, 32 (3), pp. 251-256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2011.11.008
Article
Evaluating the strategic plans of public libraries: An inspection-based approach
Buchanan S & Cousins F (2012) Evaluating the strategic plans of public libraries: An inspection-based approach. Library & Information Science Research, 34 (2), pp. 125-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2011.11.004
Conference Paper (unpublished)
Collaboration in the Digital Domain
Buchanan S & McMenemy D (2011) Collaboration in the Digital Domain. Internet Librarian International Conference, London, UK, 26.10.2011-28.10.2011.
Conference Proceeding
Towards a Public Library Digital Service Taxonomy
Buchanan S & McMenemy D (2010) Towards a Public Library Digital Service Taxonomy. In: .), Lecture Notes in Computer Science 6273: Research and Advanced Technology for Digital Libraries, 6723. 14th European Conference Digital Libraries (ECDL 2010), Glasgow, UK, 06.09.2010-10.09.2010. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, pp. 425-428. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-15464-5_48
Conference Paper (unpublished)
The emergence of digital services in the Scottish public library sector: a survey.
McMenemy D & Buchanan S (2010) The emergence of digital services in the Scottish public library sector: a survey.. Internet Librarian International (ILI 2010), London, UK, 14.10.2010-15.10.2010.
Conference Paper (unpublished)
From strategy to information systems architecture: a review of public library strategic planning
Buchanan S, McMenemy D, Ruthven I & Cousins F (2010) From strategy to information systems architecture: a review of public library strategic planning. International Conference on Conceptions of Library and Information Science (COLIS 2010), London, UK, 22.06.2010-24.06.2010.
Book Chapter
Planning Strategically, Designing Architecturally: A Framework for Digital Library Services
Buchanan S (2010) Planning Strategically, Designing Architecturally: A Framework for Digital Library Services. In: Woodsworth A (ed.) Advances in Librarianship. Advances in librarianship, 32. Emerald Group Publishing Limited, pp. 159-180. https://doi.org/10.1108/s0065-2830%282010%290000032010
Article
Evaluating the usability and usefulness of a digital library
Buchanan S & Salako A (2009) Evaluating the usability and usefulness of a digital library. Library Review, 58 (9), pp. 638-651. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242530910997928
Conference Paper (unpublished)
Evaluating digital library usefulness
Buchanan S & McMenemy D (2009) Evaluating digital library usefulness. Internet Librarian International Conference (ILI 2009), London, UK, 15.10.2009-16.10.2009.
Article
The information audit: Theory versus practice
Buchanan S & Gibb F (2008) The information audit: Theory versus practice. International Journal of Information Management, 28 (3), pp. 150-160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2007.09.003
Article
The information audit: Methodology selection
Buchanan S & Gibb F (2008) The information audit: Methodology selection. International Journal of Information Management, 28 (1), pp. 3-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2007.10.002
Article
The information audit: Role and scope
Buchanan S & Gibb F (2007) The information audit: Role and scope. International Journal of Information Management, 27 (3), pp. 159-172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2007.01.002
Article
A framework for business continuity management
Gibb F & Buchanan S (2006) A framework for business continuity management. International Journal of Information Management, 26 (2), pp. 128-141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2005.11.008
Article
An integrated approach to process and service management
Gibb F, Buchanan S & Shah S (2006) An integrated approach to process and service management. International Journal of Information Management, 26 (1), pp. 44-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2005.10.007
Article
The information audit: An integrated strategic approach
Buchanan S & Gibb F (1998) The information audit: An integrated strategic approach. International Journal of Information Management, 18 (1), pp. 29-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0268-4012%2897%2900038-8
I currently teach the following postgraduate classes:
MMAPP17 Human Information Behaviour: provides theoretical and practical understanding of how and why people seek and/or receive information (or not), and the factors influencing information behaviours both physical and digital. Explores complex access and internalised behavioural factors, the former influenced by issues of technology and media and information literacies, the latter by sociocultural and psychological factors.
PREPP 84 Health Communication: provides theoretical and practical understanding of the variable factors to take into account when seeking to develop effective public health communication campaigns, including design of tailored campaigns for specific topics and/or targeted population groups. Explores socioecological factors influencing health communication at macro and micro levels, including issues of low population health literacy.
CMCPP15 Advanced Topics in Communication: provides critical understanding of the principle theories, concepts and principles of effective communication. On this module I provide theoretical and practical understanding of factors of persuasive communication (e.g. audience attention, relevance, emotion, motivation) including how to incorporate into effective communication campaign design.
MMAPP12 Mass Media Research Methods: provides critical understanding of philosophy, ethics, and practices of social research in the context of media and communication studies; and practical understanding of associated research methodologies, tools and techniques.On this module I provide theoretical and practical understanding of research design including mixed methods design.
