Ellen D Swain

Ellen D Swain is a Professor and Archivist for Student Life and Culture at the University of Illinois Library. Her work focuses on archival science, student culture, and educational outreach, particularly in leveraging university archives to engage students with historical materials. She has contributed extensively to methodologies in teaching with primary sources and oral history preservation.

Swain’s research spans archival pedagogy, student organization documentation, and the intersection of digital humanities with traditional archival practices. Her publications emphasize collaborative approaches to archives, including student involvement and innovative outreach strategies.

• Awards: Fellow of the Society of American Archivists (2013).
• Key Contributions: Authored guides on teaching with archives, pioneered web archiving for student organizations, and developed frameworks for ethical access to student records.
• Labs/Teams: Leads initiatives within the University Library Archives, focusing on student life documentation and digital preservation.