Africa S. Hands (she/her)
Assistant Professor
INFORMATION SCIENCE
Specialty/Research Focus
Information Science; Access and Equity; 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:
- Outstanding Faculty Research Scholar; East Carolina University, College of Education; 2022-05-09;
Recent Publications:
Journal Article:
- Crumb, L., Chambers, C., Azano, A., Hands, A., Cuthrell, K., & Avent, M. (2023). Rural cultural wealth: Dismantling deficit ideologies of rurality. Journal of Multicultural Education.
- 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.
- Hands, A. (2021). Toward belonging and mutual hospitality: Decentering whiteness in the “new normal.” Reference Services Review.
- Hands, A. (2020). Tapping into the assets of first-generation students during times of transition. Information and Learning Sciences.
Recent Presentations:
Conferences:
- Hands, A. & Candela, R. (2023). Public libraries: A viable partner for college access in Appalachia. Poster presented at the Appalachian Studies Association conference at Ohio University.;
- Hands, A. (2023). "You Sound Like a Ph.D. Student“: Manifestations of Encouragement for Prospective Doctoral Students. Paper presented at the 2023 American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL.;
- Hands, A. (2023). “I won’t lie. I’m pretty anti-Twitter”: LIS students’ perceptions toward the use of Twitter. Poster presented at the ASIS&T 2023 Mid-Year Conference.;
- 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.;
- Hands, A. (2023). Facets of encouragement in the pre-doctoral experience. Paper presented at the 2023 Libraries in the Digital Age (LIDA) Conference in Osijek, Croatia.;
Recent Grants:
Grant:
- Positioning LIS Students for Career Success; Foundation and Research Organization; Association for Library and Information Science Education; Awarded; (09/30/2023-08/31/2024)
- Public Library Support of College Literacy in Appalachia; Federal; Institute of Museum and Library Services; Continuing; (09/01/2021-08/31/2024)
Recent Activities:
Professional Service:
- Planning Committee Member and Moderator of the Signature Leadership Panel, Virginia Tech Faculty Women of Color in the Academy Conference
11/01/2022-04/30/2023 - Member, ALSC Batchelder Book Award Committee
07/01/2022-06/30/2023 - Past-Chair, ALA Library Research Round Table
07/01/2022-06/30/2023