Message from the Head of School

Our story begins with the Riverina College of Advanced Education and the Riverina-Murray Institute of Higher Education, predecessor institutions of Charles Sturt University, which laid the foundation for excellence in LIS education. From these early beginnings, we have grown to become Australia’s leading provider of LIS education and one of the largest globally in the information field.

The Golden Jubilee is an opportunity to reflect on this rich history, celebrate our achievements, and look ahead to a dynamic future. As part of this celebration, the School is hosting several events in 2025, bringing together students, alumni, and industry professionals. These include the publication of an invited article in InCite, the magazine of the Australian Library and Information Association, a special issue on LIS education in the Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association, a distinguished public lecture series across the fields of information science, school librarianship, communication and media, and archival studies, a communication alumni industry event, and the hosting of the RAILS 2025 Conference at the Charles Sturt Sydney Campus.

The School’s evolution reflects the changing needs of the profession. In 2021, the School welcomed academics from communication and media studies through the University’s Sustainable Futures Program. This interdisciplinary focus positions us to lead research and education that address pressing global challenges and shape the future of information and communication practices.

Our teaching and research programs continue to adapt to the ever-changing digital era, transforming how people interact with information, technology, and society. They prepare graduates to navigate complex, technology-driven environments while fostering skills that enhance information equity, community well-being, and societal resilience.

We invite you to join us in celebrating the School’s rich history over the past 50 years. Together, let us honour the legacy of this vibrant field and explore how information and communication can empower a better future in the next 50 years and beyond.

Thank you!

Professor Tina Du

Head of the School of Information and Communication Studies, Charles Sturt University