WelcomeIn 2007, I received a Doctorate of Philosophy in Information Studies from the Department of Information Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. Now, I am an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Information, University of Toronto.
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Research
I am interested in three related areas:
1.) information phenomena in serious leisure;
2.) ethnographic methods, especially visual approaches; and
3.) the history and theory of information studies.
My academic career is organized around the question: What is the nature of information in the pleasures of life? I am investigating this matter through the concatenated study of serious leisure realms, which are crossroads of information and enjoyment. My empirical research explores the use and structure of leisure information on personal and social levels, and my dissertation is a case study of information phenomena in the hobby of gourmet cooking. I am a methodologist and practicing ethnographer with a particular interest in visual techniques. I take an interdisciplinary approach and am involved in sociology and leisure studies, especially through collaboration with Dr. Robert A. Stebbins. As inspiration and for theoretical resources I draw heavily upon northern European information scholarship in library and information science. My goals are to generate basic knowledge about information in the pleasures of life; challenge existing ideas that have largely emerged from academic problem scenarios; establish positive models of organic, flourishing information environments; enliven classrooms with upbeat topics; and enrich the information experience for leisure enthusiasts.
1.) information phenomena in serious leisure;
2.) ethnographic methods, especially visual approaches; and
3.) the history and theory of information studies.
My academic career is organized around the question: What is the nature of information in the pleasures of life? I am investigating this matter through the concatenated study of serious leisure realms, which are crossroads of information and enjoyment. My empirical research explores the use and structure of leisure information on personal and social levels, and my dissertation is a case study of information phenomena in the hobby of gourmet cooking. I am a methodologist and practicing ethnographer with a particular interest in visual techniques. I take an interdisciplinary approach and am involved in sociology and leisure studies, especially through collaboration with Dr. Robert A. Stebbins. As inspiration and for theoretical resources I draw heavily upon northern European information scholarship in library and information science. My goals are to generate basic knowledge about information in the pleasures of life; challenge existing ideas that have largely emerged from academic problem scenarios; establish positive models of organic, flourishing information environments; enliven classrooms with upbeat topics; and enrich the information experience for leisure enthusiasts.
Contact
Jenna Hartel [photo] | Ph.D. | Assistant Professor
Faculty of Information | University of Toronto | 140 St. George Street | Toronto | Ontario | M4S 3G6
CANADA | 416-506-1636 (home office) | email: jenna.hartel@utoronto.ca | Office: Bissell #645
Faculty of Information | University of Toronto | 140 St. George Street | Toronto | Ontario | M4S 3G6
CANADA | 416-506-1636 (home office) | email: jenna.hartel@utoronto.ca | Office: Bissell #645
Enjoy some enchanting music while you are here:
Teaching
At the Faculty of Information, I am centered on the library and information science path, and offer the following courses: INF1310: Introduction to Reference, INF2330: The Information Experience in Context, INF2332: Information Behaviour and INF1005/6: Information Workshop, The Liberal Arts Hobbies. (Follow these links to additional information about my teaching, including syllabi and course evaluations.)
