Be It Resolved: Engaging with Theory in Information Science is Unnecessary

By Isto Huvila, 24 February, 2026
Date
Until

Panel at the iConference 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland together with Heidi Julien (University at Buffalo), Michael Olsson (Uppsala University) and Ian Ruthven (University of Strathclyde).

Abstract

Theory use is associated with scholarly rigor but many of the significant outcomes of Information Science research have been non-theoretical. So does theory matter? In Information Science, theory use has been analyzed, promoted, and debated, making this aspect of the research enterprise an ongoing concern and focus of discussion. This panel will take the form of a debate, arguing for and against the necessity of engagement with theory in Information Science scholarship, providing the audience with an opportunity to consider the potential value of theory to inform development of research questions, methodological approaches, and interpretation of empirical data. The audience will hear from senior scholars in the field with strong interest in theory and will also be encouraged to join the debate and think about the ways in which their own scholarship has engaged theory or has the potential to do so.
 

Latest Publications

Documenting AI Use in Humanities Research
Huvila, I. (2025). Documenting AI Use in Humanities Research. In H. Verhagen, S. Tienken, A. Widholm, M. Fridlund, M. Nermo, & A. Blåder (Eds.), Huminfra 2025 (pp. 57–62). Stockholm: Stockholm University.
Letting AI Loose in an Archive: Technology to Manage or to Manage With
Huvila, I. (2025). Letting AI Loose in an Archive: Technology to Manage or to Manage With. Archiv, Theorie & Praxis, 75, 12–15.
Researchers Data Processing Descriptions–Understanding Paradata Creation Practices and Their Underpinning Instrumentalities
Huvila, I., Andersson, L., & Sköld, O. (2025). Researchers Data Processing Descriptions–Understanding Paradata Creation Practices and Their Underpinning Instrumentalities. Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 76(11), 1570–1590. http://doi.org/10.1002/asi.70003 (Original work published 2026)
Paradata: Documenting Data Creation, Curation and Use
Huvila, I., Andersson, L., Friberg, Z., Liu, Y.-H., & Sköld, O. (2025). Paradata: Documenting Data Creation, Curation and Use. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. http://doi.org/10.1017/9781009366564
Functions of Paradata in Data Papers
Ekman, S., Sköld, O., & Huvila, I. (2025). Functions of Paradata in Data Papers. Journal of Documentation, 81(7), 253–272. http://doi.org/10.1108/JD-11-2024-0293 (Original work published 2026)

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Isto Huvila

(nĂ© Isto Vatanen)  
Professor in  
Information Studies  
Department of ALM  
Uppsala University

Docent (adjunct professor) in information management  
Information studies  
Ă…bo Akademi University

Isto Huvila is working on management and organisation of what we know and how we know in contexts ranging from social media to more traditional arenas of learning and working. My special areas of expertise are organisational information, social media, health, archives, libraries, museums and cultural heritage.

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