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This is the final post of the blog series where we share reflections from our 2024 NEASIS&T Conference Support Award recipients, offering a glimpse into the value and impact of the 2024 ASIS&T Annual Meeting. Through their experiences, we aim to highlight the learning, networking, and growth that make this event so impactful. Be on the lookout for the announcement of our Conference Support Award application in the upcoming months.


The 2024 ASIS&T Annual Meeting marked a significant milestone in my journey as a PhD student in Information Science. With its overarching theme of fostering research that Put[s] People First: Responsibility, Reciprocity, and Care in Information Research and Practice, this event presented an invaluable opportunity to co-present my work, learn from experts, and reflect on my growth. Through participation, I solidified my belief in the transformative power of knowledge and collaboration to create positive, lasting change.

Motivations that Shape My Path

My motivations for attending ASIS&T stem from a deep-rooted drive to make an impact. My professional background has been non-traditional, straddling the corporate world while staying closely connected to academia. This dual experience has reinforced my commitment to lifelong learning and applying research to solve real-world problems. As a PhD student in Information Science, my current research focuses on the governance and ownership of electronic health records (EHRs). By exploring decentralized models, I aim to empower patients to take full control of their health data, addressing critical issues of privacy, access, and ethics. Sharing adjacent work at ASIS&T provided an avenue to articulate its relevance, gather feedback, and contribute to discussions to shape the future of health information.

Reflecting on the Process That Brought Me Here + Presentation Day

I would be remiss not to touch on the process that shaped the journey to presenting my poster at the ASIS&T Annual Meeting. Co-presenting this work was both a challenge and a rewarding learning experience. At its core, the exercise required distilling complex research objectives, methodologies, and findings into a concise and accessible narrative—an endeavor that tested my ability to balance detail with clarity. This process underscored a universal truth: clear communication is essential to bridging the gap between academia and practice. Collaboration was a cornerstone of this journey. Working alongside co-authors Samuel Dodson, PhD, and Jesus Montiel, iteratively, we refined our approaches, challenged each other’s perspectives, and engaged in constructive feedback loops. These collaborative efforts underscored the shared value of iteration and the unique strengths that come from blending diverse working styles.

The Evolution of the Poster: Continuous Learning and Growth

The process of transforming an initial idea into a polished presentation was one of continuous learning. The poster’s journey can be summarized in three pivotal phases:

  1. Idea Organization: What began as an exploratory project focused on data visualization gradually evolved into a structured narrative aligned with broader research objectives. The process of narrowing the scope and defining the storyline was foundational to its success.
  2. Research and Refinement: Conducting multiple rounds of literature review was critical to ensuring the work was grounded in a robust academic foundation. This effort not only enhanced the poster’s rigor but also connected it to contemporary debates in information science, reinforcing its relevance.
  3. Feedback Integration: Incorporating feedback bore from the authors shaped the final product into something stronger and more impactful. Each iteration brought greater clarity, focus, and depth to the work.

Through this process, I gained invaluable insights into how to synthesize and present research effectively. It also highlighted the parallels between research production and industry practices: both require flexibility, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence. More than just preparing me for a specific presentation, this experience prepared me to better navigate the intersections of academic rigor and practical application.


This reflective journey is one I carry forward with gratitude. It is a reminder that the work is never just about the final output but also about the process, growth, and relationships built along the way.

Key Highlights from ASIS&T 2024

The ASIS&T Annual Meeting offered numerous opportunities to engage with cutting-edge research and thought leaders. Among the highlights was a keynote by Lerato Chondoma, LL.B., MBA, whose insights on equity and decolonization resonated deeply with me. I challenge myself to these thought-provoking questions emerging from the keynote, as a regular practice:

  • How can research systems and policies better support equity and decolonization?
  • What does it mean to authentically co-create pathways for alternative knowledge systems?
  • How do we reimagine progress and success in decolonial and anti-racist contexts?

These questions are not only relevant to my own research but also inspire a broader reflection on how to make research systems more inclusive and impactful.

Equally enriching were the sessions and presentations by fellow scholars, such as:

Growth and Moving Forward

Participation in ASIS&T 2024 was more than an academic exercise; it was a transformative experience that bridged the gap between research and practice.

Comparing working styles in research and the corporate world revealed commonalities in the need for iteration, collaboration, and adaptability. These lessons have reaffirmed my commitment to lifelong learning and my passion for contributing to meaningful research.

As I look ahead, I remain inspired by the conversations, connections, and knowledge gained at ASIS&T. This experience has strengthened my resolve to pursue impactful research and to continue navigating the intersections of academia and industry. With each step, I hope to contribute to a future where information systems empower individuals, drive equity, and foster innovation.