Bethany McGowan is the Director of the Library for the John Shufeldt School of Medicine and Medical Engineering at Arizona State University. In this role, she provides senior leadership for library collections, services, and instructional programs, aligning library strategy with the school’s interdisciplinary research and clinical missions.
Links to her research profile are:
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=C8ZdaUgAAAAJ&hl=en
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4797-4836
Previous Experience & Academic Background
Prior to ASU, McGowan was an Associate Professor at Purdue University, where she led initiatives in health sciences librarianship and research rigor. Her career began with foundational roles as a medical librarian at Howard University and a Congressional Fellow with the Library of Congress.
Research & Global Impact
As a Fulbright Scholar, McGowan served as a Visiting Associate Professor at Tampere University in Finland (2023-2024). Her scholarly work centers on health literacy and evidence synthesis, examining how clinicians and the public access and evaluate health information to support evidence-based decision-making.
Leadership & Certifications
McGowan holds prominent international leadership positions, including:
- Chair: International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) Health and Biosciences Libraries Section.
- Board Member: Medical Library Association (MLA) Board of Directors.
- Infodemic Management Officer: Recognized by the World Health Organization for expertise in combatting health misinformation and strengthening trustworthy communication.