PhD Dr Waseem Afzal is a senior lecturer in the School of Information Studies at Charles Sturt University. Waseem earned his PhD in Information Science and MBA from Emporia State University, USA. Waseem teaches at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and does research in the areas of information behaviour, management of information organizations, web information flows, and economics of information. He has extensively taught subjects covering areas of management of information organizations, leadership, user centred design and web usability, research methods, information sources and services, and knowledge management. Waseem’s research has been funded through competitive internal and external grants amounting to well over $77,900. He co-organized ASIS&T SIG USE 2019 Symposium, treasurer of the ASIS&T Asia-Pacific Chapter 2018-19, recipient of the Elfreda Chatman Research Award (2013) as well as the International Academy of Business & Public Administration Disciplines Research Award (2007). His research has been covered by various national and local public media outlets including The Australian Newspaper, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Regional, Win News Riverina, and Prime7 News. My research is concerned with the interaction between users’ experience of information and the impact of this experience on cognition, emotions, feelings, and behaviour. My research is situated in the broad area of ‘Information Behaviour’ having links with the disciplines of Psychology, Education, Computer Science, and Economics. My recent research projects involve development of an affective framework for information behaviour; study of the relationship between information behaviour and flow; nature of information need; online learning experience; and assessing the value of public library services. My teaching philosophy is to provide authentic learning experience to my students. To this end, I create authentic learning tasks and engaging learning environment supported by relevant technologies. I do provide scaffolding enabling students to develop deep understanding and ability to apply their learning in varied professional settings. My current teaching approach demonstrates excellence in curriculum development, innovation in approaches to assessment, continuous learning and improvement in subject delivery, and an unwavering commitment to helping my students learn and gain knowledge. The quality of my teaching has been recognised by (1) internal awards, (2) consistent above-average student evaluation scores, (3) students in their unsolicited e-mails and comments, and (4) through triangulated assessment of my teaching. I was honoured to be included in the CSU School of Information Studies Teaching Hall of Fame in 2016 and 2017 for excellence in teaching, as determined by student evaluations. I do take higher degree by research students in the areas of information behavior, information flow in social media, and economics of information. I have recently completed supervising Annette Goodwin. Her thesis title was: The role of librarians in information literacy instruction and student learning and development: Perceptions of Australian regional university librarians I have been invited nationally and internationally for review of Ph.D. thesis. I have also served on several Charles Sturt University Examination Committees to evaluate the reports of external reviewers and response to these reports by Ph.D. candidates. Owing to my methodological expertise I have also been invited by supervisory panels from disciplines other than information science to provide advice. For example, I have provided advice on the appropriateness of multivariate methods, instrument development procedures, sampling in quantitative and qualitative studies. Professional Associations Service to Profession Service to University 2020 2019 2018 2016 2015 2013 2011
Teaching and Research Staff
Dr Waseem Afzal
Senior Lecturer in Information Studies
Wagga Wagga
Building 5, Room 213