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Eric Johnson

  • Head, Creative Technologies and Scholarship

  • Associate Professor
  • Scholarly Communications and Publishing, Creative Technologies and Scholarship

Since 2013, Eric Johnson has headed the Creative Technologies and Scholarship department, including managing the creation, launch and ongoing operation of The Workshop, [LINK to its website]] VCU Libraries' state-of-the-art multimedia studio and makerspace. The Workshop serves as the libraries' creative space, providing tools and expertise to help members of the VCU community to explore and express their ideas in non-traditional ways.

The Workshop, which opened in 2016, is one of the most popular service areas in Cabell Library. The Workshop has become a gathering place for a community of creative makers and users who explore technologies and apply them to classroom learning and projects. Last year, staff answered 26,360 reference and assistance questions, taught 475 instructional sessions and managed more than 24,000 equipment loans.

During his more than 20 years' experience in libraries and museums, Johnson has focused on bridging the gap between people and new technologies. His previous experience includes serving as head of outreach and public services in the Scholar's Lab at the University of Virginia Library and in librarian and social media positions at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s historic home. This work has shaped his commitment to exploring the ways in which technology most effectively shapes and enhances the communication of knowledge to broad audiences.

His research and teaching interests include creativity in libraries; public scholarship; research communication; digital scholarship; information sharing among creative people; and museum and library history (focusing especially on makerspaces and other creative work spaces). His technical interests include laser cutting/etching, photogrammetry, geographic information systems, 3D scanning and modeling and web design. Constantly building his technical expertise, he is pursuing a post-baccalaureate graduate certificate in geographic information systems at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.

M.A. in U.S. History, George Mason University
M.S. in Information Studies, Florida State University
B.A. in History, the College of William & Mary