Print vs online: the great debate

Perfect for listening on the go, the series explores ideas shaping teaching, research, technology, culture and the future of libraries.

The first three episodes are now live, forming a mini-series on a theme that continues to spark debate: print versus online.

Experts from across RMIT unpack how print and digital resources each shape the way we teach, learn and conduct research. Their insights highlight the complexity of a topic often framed as either/or, but which is far more nuanced in practice.

Listeners will hear from a diverse group of academics and Library staff, including:

• Dr Daniel Binns

• Dr Remie Cibis 

• Dr Laura Gardner

• Dr Alexandra Sherlock

• Jessie Kiely

• Library managers Arlene O’Sullivan and Pauline King. 

Across the three episodes, our guests explore:

• the shift from print to online collections over the last decade

• how physical and digital resources differently support discovery, learning and research 

• why print remains critical, from sensory experience to cognitive impact to discipline‑specific needs

• what the future holds for physical library collections and the spaces built around them.

These conversations offer an in-depth look at how format influences academic work and why discourse is needed to inform the future needs for teaching, research and education.

Future episodes will introduce even more voices from across RMIT and beyond. You’ll hear:

• specialists explaining how generative AI is changing research and academic writing

• researchers exploring the international student experience

• what's new in the world of Open Access and the vital role university libraries play. 

We encourage listeners to tune in, share feedback and suggest topics for future episodes. Whether you’re a student, staff member, researcher, or simply someone interested in the ideas shaping universities today, we’d love to hear from you.

Listen to the RMIT University Library Podcast and explore the ideas reshaping learning, teaching and research across RMIT. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts and Amazon Music.