Professor Steven Buchanan

Professor in Comms., Media and Culture

Communications, Media and Culture Division of Communications, Media and Culture School of Arts & Humanities University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4JA

Professor Steven Buchanan

Contact details

About me

Professor of Human Information Behaviour within the Division of Communications, Media and Culture, University of Stirling.

My human information behaviour research examines how and why people interact with information (or not), and effective channels and sources of information, and influencing factors. I explore complex access and internalised behavioural factors, the former influenced by media and information literacy issues, the latter by economic, social and cultural structures and norms. My work provides insights into what information to provide, to whom, and how. Much of my work addresses the enduring limitations of mass communication strategies, informing targeted communication interventions in the socio-ecological context.

My research has been variously funded by ESRC, AHRC, ACE, RSE, and SLIC. Much recent work has examined people’s information behaviours within marginalised and/or disadvantaged circumstances. Indicative recent studies include work with impoverished young children, unemployed adolescents, Muslim women, incarcerated men, young mothers, and healthcare professionals in areas of multiple deprivations. In partnership with the University of Glasgow I am currently principal investigator on an Arts Council England funded review of the role of public libraries in combating disruptive misinformation and disinformation in UK society, and joint principal investigator on a Royal Society of Edinburgh funded review of censorship and neutrality in public information services.

The practical impact of my work is attested to via input to various Government, NHS, and third sector reviews of public communication and information services past and present. For example, my work defining the key information intermediary role of healthcare professionals has formed a key action (development of common professional information intermediary skills) in the Scottish Government’s Health Literacy Action Plan for Scotland. Further recent (2025) public and professional engagements include events at the Scottish Parliament, National Library of Scotland, and Glasgow Mitchell Library advising on issues of intellectual freedom and censorship in public life.

Research Projects/Awards:

Buchanan, S., & McMenemy, D. (2025-26). The role of the Public Library in Combating Misinformation and Disinformation: a review. Arts Council England Award.

McMenemy, D., & Buchanan, S. (2025-26). Culture Wars, Censorship and Neutrality in Scottish Public libraries. Royal Society of Edinburgh Research Collaboration Award.

McKrell, L., Champion, K., & Buchanan, S. (2024-2025). Evidencing the Social Impact of Public Libraries. Scottish Libraries & Information Council Public Library Improvement Fund Award.

McKrell, L., Buchanan, S., & McKeown, C. (2022-23). Making a Difference: evidencing the value of a library maker space to users and community. Scottish Libraries & Information Council Public Library Improvement Fund Award.

Roy, L., & Buchanan, S. (2018-2019) Adding Value through Narratives: Studying Information Behaviours and Experiences among Disadvantaged Populations. UT-CHASP Seton Research Collaboration Award.

Buchanan, S., & Ruthven, I. (2015-2018) Understanding the information needs of young first-time mothers from areas of multiple deprivation. Economic & Social Research Council Award.

Buchanan, S. (2015-2018) The role of public libraries in Glasgow communities in the 21st century. Arts & Humanities Research Council Award.

Buchanan, S. (2013-2016) Understanding the Information Needs of Visually Impaired Young People. Economic & Social Research Council Award.

Outputs (49)

Conference Paper (published)

Digital Participation, Surveillance, and Agency: Insights into the Role of Digital Literacy to Manage Risk

Buchanan S & Husain Z (2022) Digital Participation, Surveillance, and Agency: Insights into the Role of Digital Literacy to Manage Risk. In: Kurbanoğlu S, Špiranec S, Ünal Y, Boustany J & Kos D (eds.) Information Literacy in a Post-Truth Era. Communications in Computer and Information Science, 1533. 7th European Conference on Information Literacy (ECIL 2021), Bamberg, Germany, 20.09.2021-23.09.2021. Cham, Switzerland: Springer, pp. 719-729. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99885-1_59

Book Chapter

Exploring the rehabilitative cultural role of the prison library: addressing sensitive information needs via cultural activities.

Canning C & Buchanan S (2021) Exploring the rehabilitative cultural role of the prison library: addressing sensitive information needs via cultural activities.. In: Garner J (ed.) Exploring the roles and practices of libraries in prisons: International Perspectives. Advances in Librarianship, 49. Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. pp. 11-37. https://books.emeraldinsight.com/page/detail/Exploring-the-Roles-and-Practices-of-Libraries-in-Prisons/?k=9781800438613

Conference Paper (published)

Developing Health Information Literacy in Disadvantaged and Dependent Circumstances: The Everyday Role of Family Nurses

Buchanan S & Nicol E (2019) Developing Health Information Literacy in Disadvantaged and Dependent Circumstances: The Everyday Role of Family Nurses. In: Kurbanoğlu S, Špiranec S, Ünal Y, Boustany J, Huotari M, Grassian E, Mizrachi D & Roy L (eds.) Information Literacy in Everyday Life. Communications in Computer and Information Science, 989. ECIL 2018: 6th European Conference on Information Literacy, Oulu, Finland, 24.09.2018-27.09.2018. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, pp. 124-135. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-13472-3_12

Conference Paper (published)

Character building in childrens’ online information behaviours: applying a virtue epistemology perspective to information literacy.

Mcmenemy D & Buchanan S (2019) Character building in childrens’ online information behaviours: applying a virtue epistemology perspective to information literacy.. In: Kurbanoğlu S, Špiranec S, Ünal Y, Boustany J, Huotari M, Grassian E, Mizrachi D & Roy L (eds.) Information Literacy in Everyday Life. Communications in Computer and Information Science, 989. ECIL 2018: 6th European Conference on Information Literacy, Oulu, Finland, 24.09.2018-27.09.2018. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Verlag, pp. 73-82. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-13472-3_7

Conference Paper (published)

Developing Information Literacy in Dependent and Disadvantaged Circumstances: A Transitional Approach in the Digital Health Context

Buchanan S, Jardine C & Ruthven I (2018) Developing Information Literacy in Dependent and Disadvantaged Circumstances: A Transitional Approach in the Digital Health Context. In: Kurbanoğlu S, Boustany J, Špiranec S, Grassian E, Mizrachi D & Roy L (eds.) Information Literacy in the Workplace. Communications in Computer and Information Science, 810. ECIL 2017: 5th European Conference on Information Literacy, Saint-Malo, France, 18.09.2017-21.09.2017. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Verlag, pp. 409-418. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74334-9_43

Keynote

The Information Behaviours of Young Mothers

Buchanan S (2017) The Information Behaviours of Young Mothers. 2nd Bridging Theory and Practice in Information Science (BTAP-IS 2017), Scottish Universities Insight Institute, Glasgow UK, 16.11.2017.

Conference Paper (unpublished)

Meaningful Digital Health Interventions: Bridging Digital Divides via Tailored Design

Buchanan S (2017) Meaningful Digital Health Interventions: Bridging Digital Divides via Tailored Design. 8th Annual Innovation in Healthcare Delivery Systems 2017 Symposium, Austin, TX, 06.04.2017-07.04.2017. https://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/~/media/Files/MSB/Centers/HealthcareInitiativeResponsive/2017%20Symposium/2017%20Abstracts/Buchanan_Meaningful%20Digital%20Health%20Interventions.pdf

Conference Paper (unpublished)

Health Information Seeking Behaviours

Buchanan S (2016) Health Information Seeking Behaviours. National Health Service Education Scotland Health Literacy Conference, Edinburgh, UK, 26.10.2016.

Conference Paper (unpublished)

Collaboration in the Digital Domain

Buchanan S & McMenemy D (2011) Collaboration in the Digital Domain. Internet Librarian International Conference, London, UK, 26.10.2011-28.10.2011.

Conference Paper (published)

Towards a Public Library Digital Service Taxonomy

Buchanan S & McMenemy D (2010) Towards a Public Library Digital Service Taxonomy. In: .), Lecture Notes in Computer Science 6273: Research and Advanced Technology for Digital Libraries, 6723. 14th European Conference Digital Libraries (ECDL 2010), Glasgow, UK, 06.09.2010-10.09.2010. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, pp. 425-428. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-15464-5_48

Conference Paper (unpublished)

Evaluating digital library usefulness

Buchanan S & McMenemy D (2009) Evaluating digital library usefulness. Internet Librarian International Conference (ILI 2009), London, UK, 15.10.2009-16.10.2009.

Teaching

I currently teach the following postgraduate classes:

MMAPP17 Human Information Behaviour: provides theoretical and practical understanding of how and why people interact with information (or not), and the factors influencing information behaviours both physical and digital. Explores complex access and internalised behavioural factors, the former influenced by issues of technology and media and information literacies, the latter by sociocultural and psychological factors.

CMCPP15 Advanced Topics in Communication: provides critical understanding of the principle theories, concepts and principles of effective communication. On this module I provide theoretical and practical understanding of factors of persuasive communication (e.g. audience attention, emotion, motivation, resistance) including how to incorporate into effective public communication campaigns.

MMAPP12 Mass Media Research Methods: provides critical understanding of philosophy, ethics, and practices of social research in the context of media and communication studies; and practical understanding of associated research methodologies, tools and techniques.On this module I provide theoretical and practical understanding of research design including mixed methods design.

Research programmes

Research themes