Education

B.L.I.S., Library and Information Science, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
M.L.I.S., Library and Information Science, Valdosta State University
Ph.D., Communication and Information, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 

Research

Dr. Dick Kawooya’s current research interests focus on the role of information (intellectual property) in fostering innovation. He is specifically looking at the role and impact of intellectual property rights (IPRs) in the exchange of innovation between formal institutions (universities, research centers, libraries, etc) and informal businesses or sectors in Africa. Kawooya’s research interests fit the broad theme of access and flow of information. He has particular interest in the ethical and legal barriers to information access and flows often with the library institution as the backdrop. 

Funded Research

Migration of Information Literacy and Technology (SLIS 202) to Distributed Learning, PI, from USC-Office of Provost, $4,000 2013-2014

Open African Innovation Research and Training Project:www.openair.org.za/, Researcher, from International Development Research Centre, Canada (IDRC) and The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), $25,000, 2010-2013

African Copyright and Access to Knowledge Project (ACA2K): http://www.aca2k.org/, Lead Researcher/Co-PI, from IDRC
and Shuttleworth Foundation South Africa, $80,000, 2008- 2010.

International Fellowship Policy, Research Fellow, from The Open Society Institute (George Soros Foundation), $36,000, 2006-2007. 

Teaching

Kawooya’s philosophy and approach to teaching focuses on fostering student-centered learning with particular emphasis on supporting students as learners. He has found this particularly relevant and useful in the last several years of teaching online courses using a variety of platforms. Kawooya’s teaching experiences reflect a wide range of library and information science areas including policy and ethics, foundations of library and information services, intersection of globalization and information technology, economics of information and research methods. He has also taught in the global studies program focusing on courses related to information in the global economy and/or contexts. 

Recent Publications

Kawooya, Dick. (2013). Informal–formal sector interactions in automotive engineering, Kampala. In De Beer, J., Armstrong, C., Oguamanam, C. and Schonwetter, T. (Eds), Innovation and Intellectual Property: Collaborative Dynamics in Africa, UCT Press, Cape Town. 59-76.

Kawooya, Dick. (2013). Ethical implications of intellectual property in Africa. In Ocholla, D., Britz, J., Capurro, R. and Bester, C. (Eds), A Handbook for Information Ethics in Africa: Cross Cutting Themes. African Centre of Excellence for Information Ethics, University of Pretoria, South Africa. 43-57.

Schonwetter, Tobias, de Beer, Jeremy, Kawooya, Dick & Prabhala, Achal. (2010). Copyright and education in Africa: Lessons from the African Copyright and Access to Knowledge Project. The Southern African Journal of Information and Communication (AJIC). Available at: http://link.wits.ac.za/journal/AJIC10-Schonwetter.pdf.

Kawooya, Dick (2008). An examination of institutional policy on copyright and access to research resources in Uganda. The International Information and Library Review. 40, 226-235.

Kendra, Abright and Kawooya, Dick (2007). Libraries in the time of AIDS: African perspectives and recommendations for a revised model of LIS education. International Information & Library Review. Vol 3 (2), 109- 120. 

Service

Chair, School of Information Science,  Bachelor of Science in Information Science Committee 

Member, School of Information Science Curriculum Committee

Member, School of Information Science Faculty Senate Committee

International programs coordinator, 2012 I-Comm Week

Reviewer, International Information and Library Review

Reviewer, International Journal of Libraries and Information Services (LIBRI)

Technical field reviewer, 2013 Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Grant Program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services

Reviewer, Information Technology for Development 

Advisor, Information Science Student Association (ISSA)

Advisor, Pan-African Student Association (PANASA) 

Personal

Kawooya is married to Betty and has two beautiful children, Michael (aka MDK) and Gabbie. He has traveled to over 30 countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, North America and the Caribbeans.