This study is designed using a mixed-method investigation with a questionnaire and interview stage.
The questionnaire is designed to explore the social backgrounds of UK HE librarians broadly and provide context at a sector level. The questionnaire will ask respondents questions about their social background and attempt to build a picture of the social make-up of the UK HE library sector.
The interview stage will explore individual perceptions and experiences relating to social class and background. Respondents to the questionnaire will be asked if they wish to be considered for the interview stage and asked to describe their journey into and through academic librarianship.
In the final stage, data from both stages of the study will be integrated and used to answer the research questions.