arcadia@cambridge People

Isla Kuhn

Isla Kuhn has an MA in geography from Univerisity of Aberdeen and MSc in Information and Library studies from University of Strathclyde.

Never having imagined working in the health and medical library world, Isla surprised herself when she got a job in the Cairns Library, University of Oxford’s medical library based at the John Radcliffe Hospital. She’s never looked back. A move to University of Leicester allowed her to set up and run a library outreach service for primary care and mental healthcare NHS staff working across Leicestershire and Rutland.

Taking up her post at University of Cambridge Medical Library in 2005 allowed Isla to return to the mixed worlds of higher education and direct patient care. There are plenty of opportunities to contribute to education, learning, research and clinical care across both the University and Addenbrooke’s, and to collaborate with colleagues from HE and the NHS. Providing support to student doctors, postgraduate researchers and clinical staff ensures that every day is different.

Isla’s professional interests include web 2.0 applications in library, educational and clinical settings and developing the educational role of librarians. She is a founder member of the first librarian TeachMeet, which encourages sharing of expertise in an informal setting.

In her spare time, Isla enjoys theatre, cycling, cooking and eating.