Devan Donaldson

Dr. Devan Ray Donaldson is an Associate Professor of Information Science and Director of Indiana University Bloomington's top-ranked Master of Library Science Program (No. 9, U.S. News & World Report) in the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering. He also directs specializations in Archives and Records Management and Digital Content, Curation, and Collections (DC3), and serves as Affiliated Faculty with the Data Science Program.

Throughout his 20+ year career at three leading iSchools (Indiana University, University of Michigan, UNC), Donaldson has championed diversity and student success while serving in progressive leadership roles—from graduate student board positions to faculty governance to program administration. As a proven student advocate, he has driven double-digit growth in BIPOC enrollment while contributing to over $14M in collaborative research initiatives and securing $400K+ in competitive federal funding as PI/Co-PI.

Research Excellence: Donaldson's scholarship focuses on digital curation/preservation and access, cultural heritage, research data management, and digital archives. He has authored 25+ peer-reviewed publications in leading journals, including Scientific Data (Nature family), Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, and award-winning conference papers. His research has been presented at world-renowned institutions in 15 countries and 21 states. By invitation, he delivered the 2021 keynote address at the United Nations Headquarters Dag Hammarskjöld Library, amplifying his influence on international and national stages.

Funding and Collaboration: His research has been supported by the University of Michigan, Indiana University, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Regenstrief Institute, and the United States Department of Energy. His fundraising experience spans two decades and reaches historic heights, delivering early board service results to recently securing $32K+ in corporate sponsorships as iConference 2025 Co-Chair—a 433% increase and the highest in the conference's 20-year history.

Education and Honors: He holds a Ph.D. in Information from the University of Michigan (2015), a M.S. in Library Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2008), and a B.A. in History from the College of William and Mary (2006). In 2008, while completing his master's degree, he attended the intensive Rare Book School course "The Printed Book in the West Since 1800" at The Grolier Club, New York, a premier institution for the study of book history and bibliography. In 2005, he studied abroad at Oxford University, Hertford College.

He has been recognized as a Bill Gates Millennium Scholar, Horace H. Rackham Merit Fellow, Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society Member, and Research Data Alliance (RDA) US Data Share Fellow.

Recognition and Service: Donaldson is a recipient of the Indiana University Trustees Teaching Award (2018), the Champion of Inclusion Award (2016), and the Luddy Faculty Recognition Award (2024), recognizing excellence in teaching across Indiana University, exceptional efforts in supporting BIPOC student success, and outstanding contributions in research, teaching, and service. He was appointed NIH/NLM Reviewer and serves on numerous editorial and advisory boards for 5 federally-funded projects totaling over $3M.

Leadership and Global Impact: He catalyzes alumni engagement and philanthropy by publishing groundbreaking institutional research on MLS program history, reconnecting early alumni and inspiring renewed support for students. As Co-Chair of iConference 2025, he secured Dr. Tshiamo Motshegwa, the inaugural Director of the African Open Science Platform, as a keynote speaker, bringing critical perspectives on global data infrastructure and open science to advance the iSchools movement's international reach. He has led global engagement as Co-Chair of the Research Data Alliance (RDA) Early Career and Engagement Interest Group, building high-impact cross-institutional partnerships that expand access, advance equity, and strengthen academic excellence in library and information science.

• Ph.D. in Information at University of Michigan, 2015

• Archives and Record Management
• Data Curation and Digital Preservation
• Data Science @Luddy
• Digital Heritage
• Digital Libraries and Digital Humanities
• Ethics and Values in Digital Society
• Information and Library Science
• Intellectual Freedom and information/data ethics
• Knowledge Organization, Cultural Informatics, and Natural Informatics

By appointment