Tom Wilson: The person and his influence on my research

Abstract

Introduction. Since my years as a Ph.D. student in the early 2000s, I have used Tom Wilson’s models in my research. They helped explain the field of human information behaviour to me. Later, I interacted with him during the review process of my papers for Information Research. I learned a lot more about the person, Tom Wilson, when I interviewed him for Project Oneness World.

Method, Results. In this paper, I summarize parts of my research that were shaped by Wilson’s models. Rather than reproducing his whole interview, which is available on the project website and its social media channels, I provide snippets from his interview that were the most compelling to me.

Conclusion. Through this write up, we get a glimpse of how Wilson’s models can influence the research journey of other researchers and how learnings from his life can inspire other people to follow in his footsteps.