- Assistant Professor
- Graduate School of Library and Information Studies
- Phone: 401.874.4714
- Email: mvnicholas@uri.edu
- Website: https://www.melissavillanicholas.net
Biography
Dr. Melissa Villa-Nicholas is an Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies. Her research interests include the history of Latina/os with information technologies and information spaces, Latina/o socio-techno practices, new media studies, and race/class/gender technology studies. Melissa teaches LIS students on inclusion, race and racism, intersectionality, and use and users of information.
Research
Information behavior, Latina/o information and technology histories and practices, social constructions of technology
Education
- Ph.D., Library and Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2016
- M.A., Library and Information Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2012
- M.A., Cultural Studies, Latino/a Studies, Claremont Graduate University (CA), 2010
- B.A., Global Studies and American Literature, Azusa Pacific University (CA), 2005
Selected Publications
Velez, L. and Villa-Nicholas, M. (Spring 2017) “The Evolution of Critical Theories in Library History Literature, 1997-2015.” Library Trends.
Villa-Nicholas, M. (Spring 2017) “Ruptures in Telecommunications: Latina and Latino Information Workers in Southern California.” Aztlán: A Journal of Chicano Studies.
Villa-Nicholas, M. (Fall 2015) “Latina/o Librarian Technological Engagements: REFORMA in the Digital Age.” Latino Studies. 13.4.