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Typically information search is treated as a simple isolated event – insert some keywords into a box and examine an array of snippets, and the job is considered finished. But the search for information is more complex than that and remains unsupported by existing technologies that focus primarily on tuning search algorithms.

This talk will examine search as a process within the larger work task and work environment to reconsider the design of that search interface, and the "interface" of search within the larger work task.

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The third speaker in SIS' Fall 2009 Speaker Series is Elaine Toms, Canada Research Chair in Management Informatics, Professor and Director, iLab, Faculty of Management, Dalhousie University. She is a member of TAPoR, the Text Analysis Portal for Research, and NECTAR, the Network for Effective Collaboration Through Advanced Research. Her work has been funded by NSERC, SSHRC, OCLC, Heritage Canada, CFI and the CRC program. Prof. Toms’ research spans the boundary at the computer interface, understanding how people use content-rich information systems effectively and efficiently, and designing tools to enable that use. Her current research includes understanding the effect of workplace interruptions on knowledge work; re-inventing a webcasting interface; understanding collaborative information access and use; enabling file sharing in knowledge work; and, measuring reputation, experience, engagement and relevance, in addition to her focus on tools to access information.

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The purpose of the SIS' Speaker Series is to give Ph.D. and masters students in the School of Information Studies a behind-the-scenes glimpse at research and the research process. There are four speakers in the Fall term and another four speakers in the Winter 2010 term. Students and faculty from the Faculty of Education as well as the wider 9IÖÆ×÷³§Ãâ·Ñ community are invited to attend.