Susan Turkel recently joined the Academic Integration team as the Social Sciences Librarian. She is the library’s liaison to the Sociology & Criminology department and to the Global Interdisciplinary Studies (GIS) department. Under the umbrella of GIS, Turkel is the point person for students and faculty doing research in Africana Studies, Arab & Islamic Studies, Asian Studies, Cultural Studies, Gender & Women’s Studies, and Latin American Studies.

The Academic Integration group’s mission is to “[integrate] library collections, resources and services with the learning and research priorities of the University.” All of Falvey’s subject librarians “promote research and instruction through library research instruction, research consulting and collection development.”

A New Jersey native, Turkel earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Psychology from Wesleyan University (CT), a Master of Arts in Sociology from the University of California, San Diego, and Master of Library Service from Rutgers University.

Earlier in her career, Turkel served for 14 years as a social sciences librarian at Bryn Mawr College and for four years as Psychology and Sociology Librarian at the University of Michigan. She has also worked as a freelance researcher and editor. When asked what brought her to Villanova, she exclaimed, “I missed being around students and colleagues. When I searched job ads and discovered the opportunity at Falvey, I knew I’d found my perfect match. I’m so glad to be here!”

Turkel’s position at Falvey is part-time and she usually works at the Library three days per week. Encouraging researchers to contact her, she explains, “My favorite part of being a librarian is working directly with students, faculty, and staff. To set up a meeting, please visit any of my Subject Guides and click the Book Me! button.”

In her free time, Turkel enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, going to concerts and lectures, eating, and taking walks around the nature trail at Haverford College. An avid dancer, Turkel describes her main hobby, “I go to contra dances, square dances, and/or English country dances at least a couple of times a week. Dancing is a ton of fun, mentally challenging, good exercise, and a great way to meet people. Please ask me about it — I’m happy to inform and recruit!”

Turkel’s office is in the Learning Commons, Room 229, (610) 519-3846. Email: susan.turkel@villanova.edu.