The University Libraries is thrilled to welcome Pei-Ying Chen to the Research Partnerships unit as our new digital scholarship and sciences research specialist librarian. In this brand-new position, Chen helps researchers of all levels use computational methods and tools to take their work from study design and data collection to data cleaning, analysis, and visualization.
Through one-on-one consultations, workshops, and classroom instruction, Chen supports projects across disciplines, with a particular focus on the sciences. “I hope to help people feel more confident and capable when using quantitative and computational tools,” Chen explains. “And I hope to help them do so both thoughtfully and responsibly.”
Chen also brings deep expertise in research metrics, encouraging researchers to think beyond the numbers and to understand the broader impact of their work. This insight, along with their emphasis on advanced research support, aligns perfectly with the Libraries’ mission and the Nebraska Model’s strategic aim of energizing information services and partnerships.
Chen is especially excited about the possibilities from experimenting with new ideas to building programs that make a lasting impact on research and student learning. Current projects include a collaboration with Erica DeFrain and David Tyler to learn whether open-access UNL articles receive more citations than those that are not published open access. Another project examines how information literacy is taught and practiced across different cultural and scholarly contexts.
Outside of work, Chen is an avid college sports fan, especially when it comes to Indiana Hoosiers women’s basketball. (“Sorry, Huskers fans!”) Chen also looks forward to attending a Huskers volleyball game and taking the overnight Amtrak to Denver, combining two of her favorite things: train travel and mountain views.
When she’s not on campus, Chen enjoys exploring Lincoln’s trails and local restaurants and is currently on the hunt for authentic Taiwanese, Chinese, and ramen spots (recommendations welcome!). Having lived in a Midwest college town for several years, she loves Lincoln’s mix of urban energy and university spirit and is excited to call Nebraska home.
Contributed by Melissa Sinner, University Libraries