Brian Atkinson
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Phone: 602-543-3172
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Sutton Hall, 301a Mesa, AZ 85212
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Mail code: 2180Campus: Poly
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Dr. Brian Atkinson successfully manages a multi-faceted career that straddles several spheres of the higher education ecosystem. Throughout his professional life, he has balanced the unique ability to clearly articulate the complexities of datacentric and technological environments and tools, while developing leadership acumen, and establishing himself as a mentor, teacher, and scholar.
Dr. Atkinson began his technical career as a systems analyst managing an extensive data library within a research center at the University of Arizona (UA). He quickly rose through the ranks to become a director and assistant dean whose responsibilities included managing infrastructure, technology, and creative services at the largest college at the UA. His intense focus on the intersection of technology and leadership was demonstrated through promoting numerous campus level initiatives and providing strategic and operational oversight for collegiate, departmental, group, and individual technical accomplishments. While many of these successes were accomplished by members of the department that he founded, a noteworthy portion leveraged his strong commitment to dialog, collaboration, and cooperation and his understanding of social, technical, administrative, and organizational networks that are necessary to achieve cross-campus support.
Dr. Atkinson’s multidisciplinary research in natural language processing (NLP) leverages information retrieval (IR) and learning theory, data architecture and modeling, and multi-modal analysis techniques to examine the roles and characteristics of higher education information executives. These are the very types of executives that he had worked with on numerous projects and initiatives during his 20+ years at the University of Arizona.
In addition to having earned a doctorate studying large-scale text analysis and processing, Dr. Atkinson also earned a terminal master’s degree in Information Resources & Library Sciences and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Both degrees remain integral to his teaching and research. Visual cognition, learning theory, and information retrieval consistently provide vital foundations that support identification and communication of the patterns found in extraordinarily large data sets and multi-faceted theoretical data constructs.
Dr. Atkinson is a Navy veteran and was recalled to active duty for the First Gulf War where he served as part of a ship’s navigational team. Recently he returned from sailing a 43-foot catamaran in the British Virgin Islands, he has set his sights on earning his captain’s credentials before the upcoming summer.
Dr. Atkinson divides his time between Arizona and Illinois where his wife is a senior leader in the banking industry.
PhD (2018) University of Arizona
MLS (2002) University of Arizona
BFA (1992) University of Arizona
Courses
2025 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| IFT 512 | Advanced Big Data Analytics/AI |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 536 | Natural Lang Processing for IT |
| IFT 536 | Natural Lang Processing for IT |
| IFT 512 | Advanced Big Data Analytics/AI |
2024 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 512 | Advanced Big Data Analytics/AI |
| IFT 512 | Advanced Big Data Analytics/AI |
| IFT 536 | Natural Lang Processing for IT |
| IFT 536 | Natural Lang Processing for IT |
2024 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 512 | Advanced Big Data Analytics/AI |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 536 | Natural Lang Processing for IT |
| IFT 536 | Natural Lang Processing for IT |
| IFT 512 | Advanced Big Data Analytics/AI |
| IFT 593 | Applied Project |
2023 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 593 | Applied Project |
| IFT 593 | Applied Project |
| IFT 421 | Data in the Cloud Info Tech |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 536 | Natural Lang Processing for IT |
| IFT 536 | Natural Lang Processing for IT |
| IFT 561 | Data in the Cloud Info Tech |
2023 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
2023 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| IFT 593 | Applied Project |
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 593 | Applied Project |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 421 | Data in the Cloud Info Tech |
| IFT 421 | Data in the Cloud Info Tech |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
2022 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 593 | Applied Project |
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 593 | Applied Project |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 421 | Data in the Cloud Info Tech |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 421 | Data in the Cloud Info Tech |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
2022 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
2022 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 421 | Data in the Cloud Info Tech |
| IFT 421 | Data in the Cloud Info Tech |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
2021 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 421 | Data in the Cloud Info Tech |
| IFT 421 | Data in the Cloud Info Tech |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 421 | Data in the Cloud Info Tech |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
2021 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
2021 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
2020 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
| IFT 598 | Special Topics |
2020 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
2020 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| IFT 259 | Intro to Internet Networking |
| IFT 200 | Info Model, Store & Retrieval |
2019 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| IFT 259 | Intro to Internet Networking |
| IFT 358 | Network Info Comm Tech |
Atkinson, B. (2024, October 24). Data Literacy in an era of ChatGPT: Extending an existing Framework. New Mexico Library Assocation Annual Meeting 2024, Carlsbad, New Mexico.
Wahl, E., Kew, K., & Atkinson, B. (2024, October 23). Research Bootcamp for Librarians [Conference Workshop]. NMLA 2024: Dragons in the Dark: Demystifying Librarianship in the Age of AI and Censorship, Carlsbad New Mexico.
Atkinson, B. (2021). Connecting the Dots Individual Traits Impact on Successful Communication [Invited Talk]. Citi Retail Services, Elk Grove Village, IL.
Atkinson, B., & Huber, H. (2019). Collaboration and Vision: The Digital Humanities Initiative at UIC. Chicago Colloquium on Digital Humanities and Computer Science 2019, The University of Chicago.
Atkinson, B. (2019). Leadership Through Collaboration, Communication and Cooperation. Presented at the University of Illinois Chicago: IT Community Conference, Chicago IL.
Atkinson, B. (2018). Information and Communication Theory: Practical Applications, Presented to Citi Retail Services, Elk Grove Village, IL.
Atkinson, B. (2016). Representation, Design & Language: Heuristics. Presented at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks AK.
Atkinson, B., & Jackson, R. (2014). Enterprise Research Solution: The Decision, the Implementation, and the Impact. Presented at the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference, Orlando FL.
Atkinson, B., & McKee, C. (2014). Linguistics: The Science of Language. Workshop presented at the USA Science and Engineering Festival, Washington DC.
Atkinson, B., Canon, B., MacArthur, R., & Rossman, B. (2013). Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About: IT Across Campus. Presented at The University of Arizona Information Technology Summit, Tucson AZ.
Atkinson, B., & McKee, C. (2013). Linguistics: The Science of Language. Workshop presented at the Arizona SciTech Festival, Chandler AZ.
Atkinson, B. (2005). Website Development—A Team Approach. Presented at The Thirteenth Annual Teaching and Technology Conference for Arizona Educators, Tucson AZ.
Atkinson, B. (2004). Information Validity and Reliability on the WWW. Presented at The Twelfth Annual Teaching and Technology Conference for Arizona Educators, Tucson AZ
Proposal Reviewer EDUCAUSE Annual Conference (2009, 2012, 2018, 2019)
Senior Reviewer EDUCAUSE Review Online (2015)
Peer Reviewer International Journal of Information Retrieval Research (2014)
Editorial Committee EDUCAUSE Quarterly (2006-2009)
Association of Computing Machinery
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Computer Society
Executive Committee, Appointed (2022)
Ira A Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe
Graduate Research Group, Faculty Sponsor (2022-current)
Information Technology Program, The Polytechnic Campus, Arizona State University, Mesa AZ
Doctoral Feasibility and Development Committee (2022-current)
Information Technology Program, The Polytechnic Campus, Arizona State University, Mesa AZ
Faculty Hiring Committee (2022-current)
Information Technology Program, The Polytechnic Campus, Arizona State University, Mesa AZ
Curriculum Committee, Appointed Chair (2022-current)
Information Technology Program, The Polytechnic Campus, Arizona State University, Mesa AZ
University Archives & Special Collections Exhibits Committee, Appointed (2019-2020)
University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL
University Libraries Recruitment Task Force, Appointed (2020)
University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL
Digital Scholarship Committee, Co-Chair (2018-2020)
University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL
Digital Humanities Initiative, Director (2018-2020)
University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL
Digital Humanities: Literacy and Methods, Co-Organizer (2020)
University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL
Digital Humanities in Practice: Project Development and Digital Pedagogy
Co-Organizer (2019)
University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL
Digital Humanities Conference Co-Organizer (2018-2020)
University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago IL
Global Digital Humanities Symposium, Planning Committee 2021 (2018-2020)
Chicago Symposium on Digital Humanities and Computer Science, Steering Committee,
Appointed Representative (2019-2020)
Midwest Data Librarian Symposium, Planning Committee (2018-2020)
UA Downtown Community Development, Appointed Chair (2012-2015)
The University of Arizona, Tucson AZ
Dean’s Information Technology Council, Member (2002-2015) & Elected Chair (2002-2010, 2013-2015)
The University of Arizona, Tucson AZ
Strategic Network Master Planning Committee (2012-2013)
The University of Arizona, Tucson AZ
Colleges of Letters, Arts and Science Research & Instructional Computing Committee Appointed (2008-2010)
The University of Arizona, Tucson AZ
Environment & Natural Resources 2 (ENR2) Programming & Construction Committee (2010-2015)
High Performance Computing (HPC) Research Governance Committee (2011-2015)
The University of Arizona, Tucson AZ
HPC Procurement Sub-Committee (2015)
The University of Arizona, Tucson AZ
HPC Procurement Sub-Committee (2013)
The University of Arizona, Tucson AZ
Site Licensing Task Force, Chair (2011-2015)
The University of Arizona, Tucson AZ
Functional Team Lead, UA Vitae (2010-2015)
The University of Arizona, Tucson AZ
Faculty Senate Information Technology Advisory Committee, ad hoc (2012-2015)
The University of Arizona, Tucson AZ
University of Arizona Network Managers, Member (1997-2010, 2012-2015) & Elected Chair (2010-2012)
The University of Arizona, Tucson AZ
University Information Technology Policy Group (2008-2012)
The University of Arizona, Tucson AZ
EDUCAUSE Leadership Institute, Boulder CO (2006)
EDUCAUSE Management Institute, Boulder CO (2004)