Professors in Library and Information Science (LIS) in Brazil

Abstract

Information science has notably grown in Brazil in recent decades, creating and increasing the availability of undergraduate and graduate courses. However, appropriate processes and training for higher education professors fail to always follow this growth. In addition to their dedication to teaching, these professionals must manage research, outreach activities, and administrative activities at their institutions. A significant portion of the training for these professors centers on the technical-theoretical knowledge of their respective areas. This study aims to characterize the profile of professors in Library and I​nformation Science in Brazil considering their training and professional performance. For this, an unprecedented census was carried out using a questionnaire structured around five axes: census data, personal information, training, continuing education, and professional activities. The questionnaire received 164 responses, representing around 18% of the 901 identified professors. Results indicate that most interviewees are women, have a PhD, and work in public higher education institutions. The professors teach undergraduate classes, and 42.7% of them work in PhD courses. Just over half of those interviewed reported teaching experience in other areas, and 65.3% of them have been teaching for at least 14 years. Furthermore, the professors highlight challenges related to the inclusion of people with disabilities, lack of physical resources, and work overload due to the multiple activities they carry out. This research constitutes a pioneering initiative to map the profile of professors in information science and provides initial support for future actions to improve the pedagogical practice of these professionals.