Tord Høivik

Short description:

Associate professor Tord Høivik - statistician, sociologist and eager blogger, teaches library and information subjects at Oslo University College.

Longer description:

I work at the section for library studies at the Oslo University College where I teach management subjects and social science methodology. Since 2004 I have mainly been engaged in research and development projects.

My great professional interest is the interplay between data technology and processes of social change - both in organizations and in society as a whole. Today, this means topics like Library 2.0, e-learning and the globalization of knoweledge-based production. I enjoy teaching courses combining elements of informatics, adult education and organizational development.

Current projects are:

(1) VOLARE - a development project training librarians to support informal learning in web skills for disadvantaged adults (recent immigrants, manual workers, elderly people, housebound mothers, etc.)

(2) Developing new and improved statistical indicators for library planning in Norway (and other post-industrial societies)

(3) Using the basic concepts of French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu to develop a practice-oriented model for research in the library field.

I originally trained as a statistician and sociologist. After twenty-five years in peace research (1967-92) I turned to library education in 1992.

My professional background includes natural sciences (mathematics, statistics, chemistry), sociology, philosophy, peace research and library studies. I have taught for longer periods in Mexico and Tanzania and for shorter periods in many other countries - including Russia and Poland. Since 2007 I serve as Norwegian representative on the IFLA Statistics and Evaluation Section.

For the last three tears I have written a daily blog on current library topics - at plinius.wordpress.com. I also write a more occasional blog in English (pliny.wordpress.com) and frequent articles for the Norwegian library press.

You will find my "photo journalism" - mostly on library-related subjects - at flickr: URL=http://www.flickr.com/photos/16725124@N00/. The pictures may be used freely for non-commercial purposes under a CC license.