Berlin Loa

Berlin Loa, associate professor of practice and Knowledge River Scholars Program manager at the University of Arizona College of Information Science, is an archivist and cultural anthropologist who works in the taskscape of cultural heritage. Her research encompasses the socio-cultural, technological, and historical aspects of collections preservation practices including traditional memory keeping practices, archival praxis, narrative agency and structure in archives and museums, place as cultural memory and identity, knowledge exchange in communities of practice, and community-driven cultural heritage preservation.

She manages the Knowledge River Scholars Program, a national exemplar in library and information science education, reflecting and serving ethnically diverse communities through intentional teaching, research, and service. The program provides professional development and academic support for graduate students in LIS focused on fostering communication and collaboration in culturally diverse information environments; developing community engagement skills; building leadership and management skills; practicing critical thinking, cultural awareness, and respect; and fostering a professional network and community of practice.

Areas of research: the taskscape of cultural heritage preservation & public memory practices; ethnically diverse cultural heritage & knowledge practices; application of storytelling in cultural heritage preservation; archival praxis; collections management in archives & museums; communities of practice in cultural heritage preservation.