معرفی
Dr. Emily Vardell is an Associate Professor at the School of Library and Information Management (SLIM) at Emporia State University. Her academic roles include teaching and research in health information behavior, health insurance literacy, and health sciences librarianship. She holds a Ph.D. in Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an M.L.S. from Texas Woman's University, and a B.A. in Biological Chemistry and German Studies from Wellesley College.
Her research focuses on health information seeking behaviors, particularly among underserved populations, and the role of libraries in addressing health literacy gaps. Notable areas include Affordable Care Act information needs, LGBTQ+ health advocacy, and the impact of social media on health decision-making. She has also explored innovative teaching methods, such as using improv comedy to enhance reference interview skills in library education.
Her recent publications (2023–2025) emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to health information challenges, including global health policy portals, community-driven health literacy initiatives, and the intersection of library services with public health crises like the pandemic. Vardell’s work often bridges library science with health sciences, advocating for librarians to serve as critical partners in healthcare education and resource dissemination.
