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Professor

451 Communications Bldg., 1345 Circle Park Dr., Knoxville, TN, USA – 37996
Phone: +1-865-974-8612
Email: dpotnis@utk.edu
Twitter: @DPotnis      LinkedIn: #DPotnis
Pronouncing my name

Education

Ph.D., Information Science, College of Computing & Information, State University of New York
M.P.A., IT Management in Public Sector, Rockefeller College, State University of New York
M.S., Computer Science, Center for Advanced Computer Studies, University of Louisiana
B.E., Computer Engineering, University of Mumbai, India

Research Interests

  • ICT for development: digital inclusion, information access and services, and financial inclusion
  • Adoption and use of technology (mobile apps, wearable devices, e-Books, info systems, social media, assistive tech, & websites) by individuals (students, farmers, women, & youth), organizations (libraries, small businesses, microfinance), communities (farmers in rural India, childbirth and motherhood groups), and government agencies
  • Information literacy (financial literacy of disadvantaged communities)
  • Information behavior and information practices of individuals
  • Diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging

International Interests

  • Strategic planning for and technology consultation to small businesses and NGOs in developing countries
  • Social work in rural India
  • US Diplomacy Labs with the US embassies in Benin and Kenya
  • Past Chair, ASIS&T SIG-III
  • Invited speaker/Keynote speaker at international events
    • Guiding LIS professionals in developing countries to conduct and publish high-quality research [“Use of theories and models in conducting LIS research” presentation at an ASIS&T SIG-III Workshop]
    • Unconventional careers in consulting for LIS professionals, Pakistan Library Association Conference
    • Use of theories and models in conducting LIS and ICT research, College of Information and Communications Technology, West Visayas State University, Phillippines
    • “A social innovation for public libraries to alleviate poverty and COVID-19 in developing countries,” International Conference on Design and Development of Public Library Services: Patterns, Experiences & Ideas, Iran