Universitat de Barcelona, Spain and viewable on Zoom

The Europe Chapter (EC) of the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) seeks participation in this year’s IST conference on Celebrating Theory and Practice. The conference will be held in Barcelona, Spain, and presentations will also be viewable on Zoom.

• Conference dates:
  • June 25: networking & dinner, 8.00pm CET
  • June 26: keynote(s) & presentations, 10.00am-5.00pm CET
• Submissions (abstract of 400-750 words): on EasyChair [here], using this abstract template
• Deadline for submissions: Wednesday 6th May, 2026
• Notification of acceptance: Wednesday 20th May, 2026
• Registration (possible without a submission): here.

We invite researchers, practitioners and students to submit abstracts for talks (15 minutes presentation + discussion time, using the template linked above). Students also have the option to submit proposals for posters rather than presentations, if they wish. We welcome proposals from ASIS&T members and non-members alike. The main conference day will consist of an opening keynote, paper sessions, lunch and networking, and posters. Further, all attendees are invited to join for dinner the night before the conference (self paid); registrants can indicate interest during registration.

For this event, themed Celebrating Theory and Practice, we invite submissions within information science/studies (broadly construed) covering research (completed or in progress), practical projects or examples, and conceptual work. Inspired by the addition of SLA members to the Europe Chapter, the theme encourages a celebration of the nexus of theory and practice; this includes for example ongoing changes in digitality and digital environments, benefits and risks of emerging information technology and functionality, and information seeking and use as it can help (or hinder) people in meeting their information-related needs in the information society (including but not limited to the European region). We welcome broad interpretations on the conference theme, example topics include:

• Information Access, Use and Understanding in Transforming Contexts
  • Evaluating the value and validity of information (incl. source critique): challenging assumptions, tradition, and stereotypes
  • Research on changing information behaviour/practices that respond to theory and practice, including personal and professional information management contexts
  • Ethical concerns in the use of data, information and information technologies (e.g., education informatics, health informatics) for benevolent or malevolent purposes
  • Literacies for empowerment to address issues of information/data uses/abuses incl. privacy, democracy, responsible computing, digital sovereignty…
  • Literacies for emerging technology e.g. information seeking and (un)critical thought with AI
• Digital Transformation, Digital Culture and Everyday Experience
  • Research on digital inequalities, such as digital poverty and the digital divide, revealing exclusions or limitations faced by certain groups
  • Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in information studies: maintaining and defending representation of participants to promote equality and diversity in the digital society
  • Relevant theories that promote the preservation or dissemination of digital and marginalized cultures and communities
  • Digital culture and links to sustainability of all kinds (via information, technology, practices, politics…)
  • Media and technology for transformation (good and bad): AI, Machine Learning; AR, VR, XR; Digital media; Online platforms in practice
  • Continuity and frictions in everyday information experience: exploring the dynamics of transitioning between online and offline realms in different aspects of life such as education, work, healthcare, and leisure in theory or practice
• New Perspectives on and Links Between Theory and Practice
  • Uses and abuses of theory in practice in public, business, academic, and other libraries and archives
  • Analysis of notable or ongoing gaps between theory and practice in real world contexts 
  • Promising approaches to addressing such gaps
  • New (or adapted) concepts for further developing theory and/or practice

We interpret Information Science broadly to include all kinds of information research including but not limited to information management, information behaviour and literacy, information retrieval and processing, data science, information ethics and governance, information/knowledge organisation, and ways of knowing. If you are not sure whether your idea fits in with our theme do please email the conference co-chairs (see emails below).

The Information Science Trends (IST) conference series – background:

The event is part of the series on Information Science Trends (IST). The events focus on current research topics, including invited speakers from research and industry. Our first event in Hamburg (April, 2019) focused on the topic Search Engines and Information Retrieval. Our second, online, event focused on Health Information Behaviour (June, 2020) and our third on Information Science Research During COVID-19 and Post-Pandemic Opportunities (June, 2021), and our fourth on Untold Stories (June, 2022). Our fifth event was hybrid and focused on Information Science Perspectives on Documenting Processes and Practices (June, 2023), whereas the sixth was online and explored Living Online and Offline in Darkness and Light (July, 2024). Last year’s meeting theme was Creativity, Transformation, and Empowerment (June, 2026), held in Manchester UK and online. The IST conferences have been awarded the ASIS&T Chapter Event of the Year multiple times. Our events provide an opportunity to network and share ideas and interests from the different fields of information science and related disciplines.

Submission requirements

For both presentations and posters, we request an informative, structured abstract:

• 400-750 words, in English
• Use standard scholarly headings that fit the nature of the work conducted and the short format, e.g. Background / Goals, Methods, Results & Discussion, References [in APA7]

You will find our template at https://tinyurl.com/IST25template. You must submit via Easychair. All abstracts will be peer-reviewed by at least two reviewers. All presenters must register for the conference (see below for rates.) See the submission due date in the timeline above.

If your submission is accepted, we strongly encourage you to later upload your revised abstract with a CC-BY 4.0 International License to the conference proceedings series that has long been published on Zenodo (community: Information Science Trends – ASIS&T European Chapter Series).

Opportunities for all researchers and practitioners

You may submit proposals for presentations (presentation of 15 minutes + 5 minutes for questions). Please submit your abstract and choose the submission type “presentation” in the submission form. Multimodal presentations, as well as traditional presentations, are welcome as long as they fit in the time limit. 

Additional opportunities for students

Posters – In addition to the possibility to submit presentation proposals, students attending in-person may submit poster proposals. If a sufficient number of posters are present, all posters will be entered in a Best Poster competition, to be judged by the conference committee based on the quality of the presented research and efficacy of the visual presentation. To be eligible, students must be present with their posters on the day of the conference. Students are defined as BA/BSc, MA/MSc, or PhD students within Information Science (including related areas such as Data Science and Information Management). Please submit an informative, structured abstract (using this template https://tinyurl.com/IST25template), and be sure to choose the submission type “poster” in the submission form, and mention your student status and supervisor(s). Posters should be A1 size.

About the hybrid format and ‘viewable online’

This year’s conference is primarily an in-person event and consequently all presentations must be made in person to be included in the conference programme. There is also an online option exclusively for those who wish to watch the presentations remotely; for that a Zoom link will be provided after registration but please note that scheduled events beyond the presentations (e.g. networking, workshops) may not be viewable and handling of questions from online participants will be done on a best-effort basis.

Cannot Give a Talk But Plan to Attend?

Participation is not restricted to those presenting! Registration fees are: 

• For in-person attendance (includes lunch on the 26th):
  • ASIS&T members: US $20
  • ASIS&T student members: Free
  • Other non-members: US $40
  • Student non-members: US $20
• For online-only attendance (note: remote presentations are not possible! See above.):
  • ASIS&T members (incl. students): no charge (but registration still required)
  • Student non-members: US $10
  • Other non-members: US $20

Register here (if you are an ASIS&T member, log into the ASIS&T website to enable your discount).

For more information:
We are happy to answer any questions you might have regarding this event. Please send an email to the IST conference co-chairs / ASIST Europe Chapter officers

Alicia Takaoka, takaoka@rsm.nl, Chair

Tsveta Rafaylova, tsveta.rafaylova@gmail.com, Chair elect

Jesse Dinneen, jesse.dinneen@hu-berlin.de, Past Chair

Juanjo Boté, juanjo.botev@ub.edu, Chapter Officer

Tanja Merčun-Kariž, tanja.mercunkariz@ff.uni-lj.si, Chapter Officer

Hillary Oakley, hilary.oakley@sunderland.ac.uk, Chapter Officer

Sophie Rutter, s.rutter@sheffield.ac.uk, Chapter Officer

Sheila Webber, s.webber@sheffield.ac.uk, Chapter Officer

The post Information Science Trends (IST) 2026: Celebrating Theory and Practice (Barcelona, Spain, June 25-26) appeared first on Association for Information Science and Technology | ASIS&T.

Appointment of Co-Project Leader for ISO/TC 46/ SC 11/ JWG1

Steffan Schwalm has been appointed as Project Leader for ISO/NP 26277, Requirements for the use of blockchain and DLT with authoritative records, records systems, and records management

ISO TC 307 has nominated Victoria Lemieux as co-project Leader.

Note: Please note that this CIB ballot period has been shortened to two weeks to enable work on ISO/NP 26277 to commence as soon as possible.

Question: Do you approve Victoria Lemieux as Co-Project Leader for ISO/TC 46/SC 11/JWG 1 for ISO NP 26277, alongside Steffen Schwalm?

The post SHORT TURN AROUND: TC 46 /SC 11 Ballot – Appointment of Co-Project Leader for ISO/TC 46/ SC 11/JWG1 appeared first on Association for Information Science and Technology | ASIS&T.

The standards committee has voted YES on this New Work Item and the appointment of the convener

SO/TC 46/SC 9 resolves to create a new working group, ISO TC 46/SC 9/WG 21, titled “Global Media Identifier (GMId) for distribution channels and brands”, to develop work item ISO/AWI 25975, Global Media Identifier (GMId) and appoints Mr. Olaf Steenfadt as Convenor for a period of 3 years. The member body who nominated the Convenor (DIN) has confirmed the appointment. 

The post Committee Resolution to Form New Working Group – GMId appeared first on Association for Information Science and Technology | ASIS&T.

The standards committee has voted NO on

TC 46 /SC 9 Ballot – Re-appointment – Convenor ISO/TC 46/SC 9/WG 12

The standards committee has vote NO on

Call for experts – ISO/TC 46/SC 11/AHG11 – ISO/PWI 26396 Archives and records management – Managing Records in Cloud Computing Environments

Question: Do you wish to nominate an expert to participate in ISO TC 46/ SC 11/ AHG11 for the ISO/PWI 26396 Archives and records management – Managing Records in Cloud Computing Environments? (Note: SC 11 has advised that experts will be added to TC 46/SC 11/WG 20 – Records management capability assessment model.)

The post TC 46 /SC 9 Ballot – Re-appointment – Convenor ISO/TC 46/SC 9/WG 12 appeared first on Association for Information Science and Technology | ASIS&T.

The post President’s Message, March 2026 appeared first on Association for Information Science and Technology | ASIS&T.

The post From Your Executive Director, March 2026 appeared first on Association for Information Science and Technology | ASIS&T.

The post Nominations Open for Global Awards  appeared first on Association for Information Science and Technology | ASIS&T.

The post ASIS&T Seeks JASIST Editor-in-Chief appeared first on Association for Information Science and Technology | ASIS&T.

2026 IDEA Institute

20-23 APRIL, 2026
Online/On-Demand Certificate Course

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a disruptive but transformative technology that can bring value to libraries by enabling increased library use, optimizing collection analysis, and enhancing the user experience. Library and information professionals must keep abreast of advances in AI technologies in order to provide innovative and value-added services, access, and collection development. Issues about inequality, discrimination, data  privacy, and bias, combined with the costs and evolving nature of AI, influence the adoption of AI in academic, research, and other libraries and information environments.

• How is AI impacting LIS practice?
• What does the future hold for AI?
• How can you implement AI in your workplace or curriculum?

The purpose of the IDEA Institute is to build and enhance the knowledge and skills of current and future library and information professionals in AI through developing theoretical (conceptual) and practical experiences.

Why Attend?

IDEA (Innovation, Disruption, Enquiry, Access) Institute on AI is an intensive, interactive, evidence based, and applications-oriented professional development program for library and information professionals. The virtual IDEA Institute on AI offers a variety of options for you to attend on your terms and at your convenience.

Your Schedule
Have to miss a session? All sessions will be recorded and available for viewing immediately following the conclusion of the session.

Your Peers
Connect with your peers across the world and discuss the topics important to you.

Recognition
Individuals who complete at least eight of the sixteen modules will receive an ASIS&T Foundational AI Certificate recognizing their commitment to continuing education in this arena.

Learn More & Register

Back to Inside ASIS&T, March 2026

The post 2026 IDEA Institute appeared first on Association for Information Science and Technology | ASIS&T.

Information Science Summit & Special Libraries Conference ’26 Updates

ISS/SLC26 Early Bird Registration Rates End April 6, 2026
Take advantage of Early Bird rates for the Information Science Summit & Special Libraries Conference (ISS/SLC26) before the deadline on April 6, 2026.

Join colleagues this June in Albuquerque for valuable learning, idea-sharing, and professional connections across the information science and special libraries community. Beyond the conference, enjoy Albuquerque’s rich history, local cuisine, unique attractions, warm hospitality, and discounts.

Do not miss your chance to save and experience all that ISS/SLC26 and Albuquerque have to offer. Click here to learn more about local attractions in Albuquerque.

Register now & book your hotel today!

REGISTER TODAY

BOOK YOUR ROOM

ISS/SLC26 Exhibition & Sponsorship Opportunities are Still Available
Do not miss this valuable opportunity to showcase your brand at the 2026 Information Science Summit & Special Libraries Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Connect with a highly engaged audience, strengthen your visibility, and position your organization alongside leaders in the information science and special libraries community.

Click here to explore the opportunities and secure your place at ISS/SLC26.

Check out our current Sponsors and Exhibitors that have already committed!

Back to Inside ASIS&T, March 2026

The post Information Science Summit & Special Libraries Conference ’26 Updates appeared first on Association for Information Science and Technology | ASIS&T.