Africa S. Hands (she/her)
Assistant Professor
INFORMATION SCIENCE
Specialty/Research Focus
Access and Equity; Information Science; Library Science; Higher Education; Online and Distance Learning; Qualitative Research Methods
Education and Training:
- Doctor of Philosophy, Queensland University of Technology, Information Systems (2018)
- Master of Arts, Golden Gate University, Applied Counseling Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts, University of California, Davis, Psychology
- Master of Library and Information Science, San Jose State University, Library and Information Science
Awards and Honors:
- Dr. Conrad F. Toepfer Jr. Mentorship Award; UB Graduate School of Education; 2026-05-08;
- Outstanding Faculty Research Scholar; East Carolina University, College of Education; 2022-05-09;
Recent Publications:
Edited Books:
- Hands, A., & Buchanan, S. (Eds.). (2025). The self-determined doctorate: Perspectives on leading the doctoral journey. De Gruyter Brill.
Journal Articles:
- Hands, A. & Candela, R. (2024). Staff perspectives on the role of public libraries in facilitating college literacy. Journal of Library Administration.
- Hands, A. & Candela, R. (2024). Educating the “middle”: Public library support of non-traditional students and SDG 4. The Library Quarterly, 94(3), 238-252.
- Hands, A. (2023). Public libraries: Your partner in increasing college knowledge among nontraditional prospective students. Adult Learning.
- Rapchak, M., Hands, A., & Hensley, M. (2023). Moving toward equity: Experiences with ungrading. Journal of Education in Library and Information Science.
Recent Presentations:
Invited Lectures:
- Hands, A. (2025). The community’s Swiss Army knife: On the nimbleness of public libraries. Australasian Public Library Conference.;
- Hands, A. (2024). Supporting college literacy in marginalized communities. Texas Women’s University, Research, Inclusion & Innovation Speaker Series.;
Conferences:
- Hands, A. (2026). Information seeking during the college planning process: Social capital and rural cultural wealth. Research poster presented at the 2026 Information Seeking in Context Conference (ISIC).;
- Davis, R., Maurici-Pollock, D., & Hands, A. (2023). What does it mean to be first?: Defining first-generation students. Panel presentation at the 2023 ALISE Annual Conference. Milwaukee, WI.;
- Hands, A. (2023). Crisis as a catalyst for change: Exploring care-centered pedagogical practices for all times. Paper presented at the 2023 DECriS Conference in Osijek, Croatia.;
Recent Grants:
Sponsored Research:
- LIS First-Generation Professionals; Federal Government; Institute of Museum and Library Services; Awarded; (08/01/2024-07/31/2027)
- Positioning LIS Students for Career Success; Non-Profit; Association for Library and Information Science Education; Awarded; (10/02/2023-10/01/2024)
- Public Library Support of College Literacy in Appalachia; Federal Government; Institute of Museum and Library Services; Awarded; (10/01/2022-03/31/2026)
Recent Activities:
Editorials and Reviews:
- External Thesis Examiner Western University, Ontario
Apr 2024-May 2024 - Manuscript Reviewer, Library Information Science and Research
Jan 2024-May 2024 - Manuscript reviewer, Journal of Education for Library and Information Science
Apr 2022-May 2024
Professional Service:
- Planning Committee Member and Moderator of the Signature Leadership Panel, Virginia Tech Faculty Women of Color in the Academy Conference
Nov 2022-Apr 2024