SPARK Community of Practice: Building and Nurturing a Research Culture in Curtin University Library

The Community of Practice is an example of how a research-positive culture can be built and nurtured to improve service delivery to library users. In 2023, the SPARK* Community of Practice was established as a collaborative, peer learning network to encourage Curtin Library staff to engage in research practices. SPARK’s primary objectives are to embed the capacity for evidence-based practice in decision-making at all levels of Curtin Library by strengthening data literacy, including best practice data collection, management, interpretation and visualisation, and celebrating and acknowledging library initiatives' success. The SPARK Community of Practice charter emphasises diversity of knowledge and expected outputs with inclusivity and collaboration at the core. The SPARK team draw on staff expertise that already exists in Curtin Library and equips members with an overview of evidence-based research practices, the ethics applications process, publishing strategies and more. SPARK provides a platform for members to offer encouragement, feedback, and practical advice for each other to overcome barriers and sustain momentum in their endeavours to learn and improve their research practices and problem-solving approaches. SPARK empowers individuals and additionally fosters a supportive research culture in Curtin Library. *SPARK stands for Sharing and Problem-solving to Advance Research Knowledge. The acronym was generated by ChatGPT.