#RLUK23 Virtual Conference :: 22-24 March 2023

Partners and Pioneers: Reimagining the modern research library

The research library is a place of experimentation, working as a partner and pioneer in the research process and as a catalyst for change within scholarship and society. It is central to the learning and research experience, operating in a complex and constantly shifting ecosystem.

We are emerging from a period of rapid transformation that has challenged not just the way that our libraries work, but their role within the campus and in relation to the wider community. The RLUK23 Conference will explore how research libraries have navigated this period of unprecedented change, and how positive decision making and planning can help us build more inclusive, diverse, and equitable libraries. As we move from a reactive mindset to now having the space to consider a more long-term perspective, RLUK23 will consider how library missions are being shaped in this new landscape.

We look forward to your joining us on 22-24 March 2023, as we reimagine the modern research library.

RLUK23 Keynote Speakers

Matthijs van Otegem
Utrecht University

Matthijs van Otegem is university librarian at Utrecht University, the Netherlands. After his PhD in Philosophy, he worked for twelve years at the Koninklijke Bibliotheek in various positions. From 2013 to 2022 he was director of the library at Erasmus University Rotterdam. His main interests are digitisation and open scholarship and how these two trends affect the role of libraries.

Elisabeth Long
Johns Hopkins University

Elisabeth Long is Sheridan Dean of University Libraries, Archives, and Museums at Johns Hopkins University where she oversees the five Sheridan Libraries and coordinates services across other libraries within the University. She also oversees the university’s historic house museums, Homewood Museum and Evergreen Museum & Library.

Prior to becoming dean at Johns Hopkins, Dean Long served as Associate University Librarian for Information Technology and Digital Scholarship at The University of Chicago where she provided strategic direction for digital scholarship and data outreach services.

Tamar Evangelestia-Dougherty
Smithsonian Libraries and Archives

Tamar Evangelestia-Dougherty is the director of the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives. The recently integrated Smithsonian Libraries and Archives contains nearly 3 million library volumes and over 44,000 cubic feet of archival materials chronicling the history of the Smithsonian. Evangelestia-Dougherty oversees 137 employees, a national advisory board of 18 members, an annual budget of over $16 million, and 22 library branches and reading rooms located in Washington, D.C., New York City, Maryland, Virginia, and the Republic of Panama.

About the RLUK23 Conference

RLUK23 will be a virtual conference held from 22-24 March 2023 on the Pheedloop platform.

**Please note Pheedloop does not work with Internet Explorer, therefore you will need to use another browser (e.g. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) to participate in the conference.

The conference is open to all, and is an excellent opportunity for colleagues to connect and discuss how we can help shape the research library of the 21^st century.

Conference fees

The fees for the RLUK23 conference are:

RLUK Member delegate: £25 +VAT (£30) This ticket option is open to colleagues from an RLUK member institution only.
Non-RLUK Member (UK): £100 +VAT (£120) This ticket option is for delegates that are based in the UK, and are NOT from an RLUK member institution.
International (outside the UK): £100 This ticket option is for delegates that are based outside of the UK, and that are not subject to VAT.

If you accidentally purchase the incorrect ticket your order will be cancelled and you will be required to register again.

Registration closes on Friday 17 March at 12:00 (GMT).

RLUK23 Bursaries

We aim to make the RLUK23 Conference as accessible as possible, and to help achieve this we are offering a number of bursaries to help those that may otherwise not be able to participate with the conference. This year we are also offering a networking grant to facilitate regional, in-person conference events.

We particularly encourage those from underrepresented groups to apply for these bursaries. These may include but are not limited to:

Members of ethnic minority communities and other underrepresented groups within the library and information sectors
Early career researchers and professionals
Low income households or those for whom the fee is prohibitive

We welcome applications from all colleagues with a professional interest in the research sector, from the UK, Ireland or internationally. RLUK23 bursaries and grants are NOT restricted to colleagues working in RLUK member institutions.

RLUK23 bursaries will be awarded at the discretion of RLUK, and we will not be able to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants. RLUK reserves the right to amend or withdraw any bursary award or grant without prior notification.

Any transfer of monies will be by bank transfer only.

RLUK23 Registration bursaries

We are offering 20 registration bursaries which will cover 100% of the cost of the conference fee for early career professionals, those in roles below associate director level, or those who would otherwise not normally attend the event.

RLUK23 registration bursaries will cover the RLUK conference fee only. Any other incidental expenses will need to be borne by the recipient. Registration bursaries will not involve any transfer of monies.

Bursary recipients will be expected to attend all days of the conference, and within one month of the end of the event will be required to produce a summary of their experience, which may be published on the RLUK website(s) or in other promotional literature.

Apply for an RLUK23 registration bursary (Closes Tuesday 28 February)

RLUK23 access bursaries

We recognise that even for virtual events there may be some barriers which prevent people from fully participating in the conference. Our access bursaries are provided to help overcome some of these barriers. They may be in respect of technology limitations, or to cover costs for care for parents and caregivers, or to give you the space to engage with the conference by being able to rent a hot desking space etc.

Access bursaries are for the maximum amount of £200 and there are five bursaries on offer.

Please note applicants for access bursaries will also need to apply for a registration bursary if appropriate.

Apply for an RLUK23 access bursary (Closes Tuesday 28 February)