Information Tools

Specializations

  • Knowledge Organization
  • Community Collaborations
  • Indigenous research ethics

Research Areas

Biography

Ash Hamilton is a settler pursuing a Ph.D in Information Science at the Information School under the leadership of Dr Sandy Littletree. Their current research focuses on the un-settling and questioning standardized knowledge organization practices through Indigenous methodologies, anti-colonial language, and community-led creation. Their work is guided by Indigenous ways of knowing and ethics, with a focus on the organizational philosophies of Kanien’kehá:ka librarian Brian Deer. Ash holds an MLIS, a B.A in Sociology, and a minor in American Indian Studies, all from the University of Washington’s Seattle Campus.

Education

  • MLIS, Library and Information Science, University of Washington, 2024
  • BA, Sociology, American Indian Studies, University of Washington, 2021

Awards

  • Scholarship - Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums, 2026
  • Graduate School Top Scholar Fellowship - University of Washington, 2025
  • NCAIS Summer Institute - Newberry Library, 2025
  • Scholarship - Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums, 2023
  • Sherman Alexie and Lethene Parks Endowed Fellowship in Tribal and Rural Librarianship - University of Washington, 2022

Consulting and Other Projects

  • Quinault Indian Nation, 2023

Presentations

  • “Where Do I Fit In?”: Inclusion or Erasure Through Language in Knowledge Organization Systems (2026)
    Newberry Consortium of American Indian Studies - Chicago, IL
  • A Framework in Practice: Examining Interpretations of BDCS Across Turtle Island (2026)
    UC Davis NAS Graduate Student Symposium - Davis, CA
  • Neighboring Washington Tribal Libraries (2026)
    iSchool Research Fair - Seattle, WA
  • The Quinault Library Project: Community Powered Cataloging in Practice (2026)
    Online Northwest - Portland, OR
  • The Quinault Library Project: Community Powered Cataloging in Practice (2024)
    Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums - Palm Springs, California, United States
  • Centering Washington Tribal Libraries (2023)
    Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States