Elena Trowsdale

Elena Trowsdale (Open University and Oxford University Gardens, Libraries and Museums (GLAM) Division)

Supervised by Dr Jaspal Singh (Open University), Dr Sally Rooney (Open University), Dr Megan Gooch (Bodleian, Oxford), Professor David De Roure (Oxford University), Helen Adams (GLAM Division, Oxford).

My PhD research topic is qualitative analysis methods for public engagement measurement in Oxford University’s GLAM sector. I will be analysing linguistic, and other qualitative data derived from public engagement initiatives or feedback from each of the six GLAM institutions associated with Oxford University, including the Bodleian and Ashmolean. My research will help the established evaluation team in their efforts to find effective methods of analysing qualitative data for these institutions. This will broaden possibilities for these institutions to become more user-focused and data-driven.

I studied English Literature for my BA at Brasenose College, Oxford. I then went on to do an MSc in Digital Scholarship at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. In this time, my work focussed on materiality of the text and methods of digital editing. I achieved the top grade in my masters cohort. After this, I completed a year on the Bodleian Graduate Trainee Scheme as a Trainee Library Assistant at All Souls College. I then became interested in analysing user experience in libraries and museums. This interest pointed me towards enrolling on an OOC DTP between Open University and Oxford University GLAM Division.