Exciting new collaboration with University of Victoria
Josh Sendall is also appointed a Visiting International Fellow in the first step of five-year collaboration.
Masud Khokhar, Chief Digital and Information Officer, and Jonathan Bengtson, University Librarian at the University of Victoria, signed a Memorandum of Understanding between University of Leeds Libraries and the University of Victoria Libraries and Art Collections in British Columbia, Canada, in September.
The memorandum provides a five-year strategic framework for collaboration, focussing on supporting research, teaching, learning and cultural exchange. Areas of collaboration include:
- exchange of professional expertise
- collaborative research and projects
- collection development and resource sharing
- exhibitions and cultural programming
- student engagement
- digital transformation.
The memorandum will encourage joint grant applications, as well as collaboration in scholarly communications, open science, citizen science and digital humanities. This includes joint projects in artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital infrastructure and exploring the evolving role of libraries in higher education. These projects will capitalise on the strengths of both institutions, aligning with the Libraries’ strategic priorities around innovation and digital leadership to advance research that has real-world impact.
Another area of collaboration will support resource access for researchers and students. Sharing metadata, digital content (where rights permit) and information about our collection strengths will help to build richer, more diverse collections. This will also showcase the collections and expertise at Leeds to wider audiences and celebrate our shared commitment to cultural enrichment.
Opportunities for staff exchanges, shadowing programmes, and joint training will be opened up, with colleagues from Leeds and University of Victoria able to learn from each other’s practices, share insights and build professional networks across continents. There will also be opportunities for student-based collaborations, including joint projects, exchanges and engagement in research and cultural activities.
As a part of this collaboration, Josh Sendall, Acting University Librarian and Keeper of the Brotherton Collection at the University of Leeds, has been appointed as a 2025–2026 Kula Academy Visiting International Fellow at the University of Victoria.
“I’m honoured to be appointed to this role.” says Josh, “This partnership between UVic Libraries and Art Collections and the University of Leeds Libraries opens up so many exciting opportunities to explore themes close to my heart – equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, decolonising the library, and the transformative role of special collections in student well-being and staff culture.”
