Defining CILIP's Professional Future

The Defining our Professional Future programme aims to establish the future of the knowledge and information profession and ensure a sustainable future for CILIP.  

While eight research companies submitted project briefs, Biddy Fisher, CILIP President and Chair of the Project Board commented that “Research by Design submitted an outstandingly good example of a project brief; clear, comprehensive, professional and demonstrating creativity. I now look forward to working with Research by Design and for ‘the conversation’ to begin.”

The Conversation will take place not just with CILIP members but with the whole knowledge and information community and other interested parties. Everyone will get the chance to have their say. We will be using online survey tools, social networking media, depth interviews and focus group discussions to engage with stakeholders. Supporting this we will also be undertaking social website analysis and desk research.

Conclusions from the issues will be reported to CILIP Council, and the Council will then develop a vision and roadmap, and manage ownership and implementation.

Heather Forrester, Managing Director of Research by Design said, “All the team at RbD are really excited about the project and keen to get started. We’re looking forward to working closely with the Project Board and hearing the views of the community.”

The Conversation will begin later in April and continue into June. It begins with three broad questions designed to raise the issues, and garner the thoughts and ideas of all stakeholders:

• What will the knowledge and information sector look like in 2020?
• Where will a professional association fit into this sector?
• How will you engage with this professional association?   

Join in the dialogue around these questions on social media by using the tag cilipfuture, or #cilipfuture on Twitter. Comments can also be posted to Project Board Chair, Biddy Fisher’s blog and added to an online discussion forum.

Find out more about the Defining our Professional Future programme, including biographies of the Project Board, an outline timetable for the programme and official programme documents at www.cilip.org.uk/cilipfuture