Dr. Elizabeth Shaffer has been appointed as an Assistant Professor to the School of Information, in UBC’s Faculty of Arts, effective September 1, 2020. She will serve as the Centre’s Executive Director in a seconded role.
Dr. Shaffer has served as the Centre’s Director of Digital, Strategic and Indigenous Partnerships since its opening in April 2018. Through her work the Centre has established and strengthened relationships with partners such as the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, developed collaborative digital technologies for exploring the records and collections at the Centre, and developed Memorandums of Understanding with local, provincial and national libraries, archives and museums.
In her new role as Executive Director she brings a wealth of academic experience in providing overall strategic leadership in the visioning, planning, development and implementation of systems, programs and services to meet the Centre’s goals. Her key responsibilities will be to provide vision, direction and leadership with regard to the Centre’s relationship to the constellation of research centers at UBC as well as those national and international related centers.
In a 25% capacity she will carry out duties in her appointment to UBC iSchool. For the fall 2020 term she is teaching ARST 573: Archival Systems and the Profession.
As Executive Director, Dr. Shaffer’s leadership is vital to create partnerships between UBC and external partners, Indigenous communities, and Survivors. Reporting to Academic Director Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Aki-kwe, Dr. Shaffer will continue to manage the strategic leadership of people, services, and operations in the ongoing development and implementation of IRSHDC digital collections and interactive systems, reference services and user spaces.
“Elizabeth’s leadership has been vital to the Centre’s operations,” says Aki-kwe. “Her knowledge and strategic vision has led to innovative digital systems and technologies that resonate with faculty, students and staff, making this history more accessible for learning and dialogue. Her work with Survivors has also ensured that we are continuing this important work in a way that is Indigenous-informed and reflects the needs of communities. Her commitment to research, teaching and community engagement exemplifies what UBC is striving to achieve with the Indigenous Strategic Plan.”
Congratulations, Dr. Shaffer!
