Dr Jelina Haines

Jelina is a pracademic specialising in Indigenous information behavior and ethical research methodologies. With 21 years of experience collaborating with Indigenous Elders, she masterfully blends community-based participatory research (CBPR) and video ethnography methods, using digital technologies to empower marginalized communities. Her expertise spans policy analysis, ethics, governance, traditional culture, visual arts design and co-design, all aimed at fostering mutual communication, driving research innovation, and promoting social entrepreneurship.

Dr Jelina Haines brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective, holding a PhD in Computer Science and Information Technology (Indigenous Studies) from UniSA, alongside multiple master's degrees and postgraduate certifications. Her teaching philosophy cultivates critical and creative thinkers through student-centered, experiential learning. She empowers students to tackle real-world challenges, developing innovative solutions that champion equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenous perspectives..

Jelina's research achievements have been recognised with prestigious awards, including the 2024 South Australian Governor's Multicultural Award, 2022 ASIS&T ProQuest Doctoral Dissertation Award (USA), the Michael Miller Medal Award (High Commendation from UniSA-STEM), and the Best Information Behavior Conference Early Career Paper Award (SIG-USE-USA). She has a proven track record of securing funding for Indigenous-led art projects and mentoring international scholars. Her impactful research is disseminated through top-tier publications and conferences, solidifying her standing as an emerging leader in her field.

In her professional capacity, Jelina is the Policy Advocacy Lead for Catalyst Now Oceania, Co-chair of the Australia Chapter, and Deputy Director of the SIG Cabinet at the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) in the USA. She is also the founder and Director of SunRay Literacy Charity in her home country, the Philippines, which aims to support marginalised youth and families in her local community. Through her multifaceted research, education, and community engagement work, Jelina significantly contributes to information science, digital humanities, social sciences, Indigenous studies, and creative industries.

Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) USA, Catalyst Now-Global, Guildhouse, South Australia, National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) Australian, Visual Arts Copyright Collecting Agency (VISCOPY) and Federal Arts Party (Founding Member)

Qualifications

• Doctor of Philosophy (In Progress) University of South Australia

• Master of Business Information Management University of South Australia

• Master of Management (Arts and Cultural Management) University of South Australia

• Graduate Certificate in Business Information Management (Preservation and Archival Management) University of South Australia

• Graduate Certificate in Education (Adult and Vocational Learning) University of South Australia

• Bachelor of Arts Curtin University

Work history

2025-2026: ASIS&T SIG Cabinet Deputy Director, Association for Information Science and Technology, USA

2024 - 2026: Policy Advocacy Lead, Catalyst Now Oceania Chapter and Co-Chair Catalyst Now Australia Chapter

2018-2025: Reviewer, The Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T, Annual & Mid-Year Conference), USA

2024: Invited Guest Lecturer, Georgetown University, DC, USA (REMOTE), working with Professor Denise Bedford Department: Communication, Culture, and Technology Subject: Cultures of Knowledge Organization

2022 -2024: Chair Special Interest Group Ethics & Policies (SIG-IEP), Association for Information Science and Technology, USA

2020-2023: Lead Research Investigator, South Australian Palliative Care - Adelaide, South Australia

2020-2023: Special Interest Group (2020-23) Digital Libraries Chair, Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T, USA

2022: Visiting Research Scholar, University of Arizona - Tucson, USA

2021-2022: Project Manager Team Lead and Cultural Liaison, South Australian Maritime Museum - Adelaide, South Australia

2020: Cultural Liaison, Teaching and Technical Assistant, University of New England (UNE), Australia, working with Dr Lorina Barker, School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences | Digital Yarning (Basket weaving and Storytelling)

2016- 2019: Arts Consultant & Cultural Liaison, Natural History LeHarve Museum, France

2016 -2017: President (ACRC Representative - SIM Lab), UniSA-STEM HDR CLUB, Mawson Lakes Campus, University of South Australia

2014: Research Assistant,  University of South Australia - UniSA-STEM, Mawson Lakes Campus, South Australia