Data science and the information professions: Challenges and opportunities

Information science and data science are closely related, but the relationships and synergies between them may not be sufficiently addressed in educational curricula for information professionals. Consequently, information professionals are at risk of being perceived as having little relevance in data-intensive settings and may fail to demonstrate the unique contribution that they can make in such environments. The knowledge and skills that information professionals can bring relate to the social, cultural, and ethical dimensions of data that are essential to recognise for successful data governance. If information professionals are not actively engaged with data initiatives, then they may be ceding their professional jurisdiction to other occupations.