Program Director for Research and Strategic Initiatives
As Program Director for Research and Strategic Initiatives, Elizabeth A. Waraksa works closely with the Association’s Coordinating Committee to foster the development of project activities brought forward by member directors, staff, or partners in response to the Association’s System of Action.
Prior to joining ARL in October 2015, Elizabeth held numerous positions in academic libraries and universities on the West Coast, including Librarian for Middle Eastern Studies at UCLA and Lecturer in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures and the Study of Religion at UCLA. She has also conducted research and managed projects as an independent consultant for a variety of initiatives, including the Association of Research Libraries’ Strategic Thinking and Design process and the CLIR Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. As a CLIR postdoctoral fellow at the UCLA Library from 2007 to 2009, Elizabeth worked on subject-specific projects, including the UCLA Encyclopedia of Egyptology. She holds a doctorate in Near Eastern Studies with a specialization in Egyptian art and archaeology from the Johns Hopkins University and has taught extensively in this field. She has also participated in archaeological excavations in Egypt, Italy, and Israel, and published on a range of topics, from Egyptian female figurines to the benefits of collaboration.
