Education

B.A., Sociology, Boston University
B.S., Advertising, Boston University
M.L.I.S., Rutgers University
Ph.D., Library & Information Science, Rutgers University

Research

Dr. Vanessa Kitzie studies the information practices of marginalized groups, with a focus on individuals identifying as LGBTQ+. Her research findings inform how information centers, such as libraries, and systems can better serve these individuals. Kitzie's  work is interdisciplinary, spanning library and information science, communication, sociology, and critical studies.

Funded Research

2018-Present Examining Public Library Service to LGBTQ+ Communities for Health Information, IMLS. PI. A three-year investigation into how public libraries can promote the health of their LGBTQ+ communities. $298,000.

Teaching

Dr. Kitzie's teaching is driven by students’ individual research and practice interests and supports these interests with class readings, lectures, and discussions. By the end of the class, she aims to have worked with students to develop their critical thinking skills, not only within the realm of theory and practice but also related to cultural competency. Currently, she is teaching Information Transfer and Introduction to Library and Information Studies.

Recent Publications

Kitzie, V., Mohammadi, E., & Karami, A. (forthcoming). “Life never matters in the DEMOCRATS MIND”: Examining strategies of retweeted social bots during a mass shooting event. Paper accepted for presentation at the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) Conference, Vancouver, Canada, November 10-14, 2018. Pre-print available»

Kitzie, V. (2018). Affordances and constraints in the online identity work of lgbtq+ individuals [Special issue, “Queer Internet Studies”]. First Monday, Eds. D. Cockayne, J. Gieseking, & J. Lingel. More»  

Association of College and Research Libraries (2017). Academic library impact: Improving practice and essential areas to research, researched by L.S. Connaway, W. Harvey, V. Kitzie, & S. Mikitish. Retrieved from»

Kitzie, V., & Ghosh, D. (2015). #Criming and# Alive: Network and content analysis of two sides of a story on twitter. In Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 52(1). Retrieved from»

Service

Chair, Advocacy Committee, American Library Association Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Round Table (2017-2018).