Finch Collins

I was educated at Brown University (A.B.) and Indiana University Bloomington (M.A. History and Master's of Library Science). Prior to beginning my Ph.D. at the University of Manchester, I was Assistant Curator of Rare Books at the Linda Hall Library. I am in receipt of a Bicentenary PhD Studentship. 

My research interested are broad and interdisciplinary. My thesis project, "The hidden voices of early printed books (c. 1450-1750): A data-driven approach to social justice in library catalogues of small and medium heritage collections," applies data science to library cataloguing to reveal the contributions of people from marginalised groups to the production and circulation of early printed books. I draw on my background in and commitment to cultural heritage institutions and workers and orientate my research towards producing actionable, sustainable transformations in the sector. 

I am supervised by Dr. Fred Schurink and Dr. Tabitha Tuckett, with external supervisor from Julianne Simpson, Librarian at Chetham's Library.