Susan Hornby

Who am I?

I teach and research in information and communications here at MMU. I teach students to become reflective practitioners in librarianship, archives and information management. I have written on the areas of statistics,  the politics and sociology of information,  reader development, theories of the Information Society and professional practice. I am also the department’s professional liaison officer.  

I find that students work best when they are challenged and stretched to their full potential.  While I do use the traditional lecture/seminar format as the basis for my teaching, I am happy to expand and develop areas of interest if asked. I also incorporate workshops, presentations, visiting lectures and the occasional poet. Students are encouraged to ask questions, make comments and even disagree. 

In my spare time, the summer is taken up with beekeeping, gardening and crown green bowling.  The winter is taken up with my book group and film, music and theatre fill all the other gaps. 

Why do I teach?

I came to this university with a strong belief in the ethos of information free at point of use. There is truth in the phrase ‘Information is power’  - control and access to information is vital for all citizens in the Information Age. Now, more than ever, we need educated and information literate people to protect and extend our freedoms.My professional interests are:

• The politics and sociology of information.
• Information in the Health Service. 

Words of wisdom

Come prepared to work hard. Listen, take advice and use your tutors as mentors.

Previous employment

I have worked for the Department of Information and Communications at the Manchester Metropolitan University since 1990. Prior to that I was Librarian at the Chester and Wirral School of Nursing and Midwifery. I have also worked in public libraries in Sefton and usersordshire.

Other academic service (administration and management)

MA/MSc Course Leader

Research expertise

• Teaching and assessing in higher education.
• The politics and sociology of information.

Recent research and scholarly activities include:

• November 1994. Chair of the Information for the Management of Healthcare study day.
• Health Promotion Information : A user needs analysis. Consultancy for Wirral Health Authority. 1997. (With J.S. Lambert)
• EduLib Workshop 8. Difference, culture and disability. 15.4.97. (With M. A. Kendall)
• 1999 July 1 Library Association UmbrelLA 5 The Joy of Learning. Address. (With Jonathan Willson) 

Publications

• Books (authored/edited/special issues)

  Available as an MS Word Filehttp://www.hlss.mmu.ac.uk/infocomms/people/userspub/sh.doc