Marginalized populations and institutions partnering to combat information marginalization: a case study of requited reclamative information practices

Purpose Few if any information practice frameworks enact a two-way dialogue between marginalized populations and institutions to foster mutual understanding and enact positive, meaningful and sustainable change. In response, this article conceptualizes a new category of information practices called Requited Reclamative Information Practices (RRIPs), which seek to reshape institutional information practices in partnership with marginalized populations. Design/methodology/approach It explores RRIPs through examination of contextual factors such as professional domain, identity and geography in a case study of aging services providers and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender plus (LGBT+) people 50 years and older in East Tennessee, USA. This includes discussion of interview and focus group data collected with LGBT+ older adults and survey submissions from service providers, which were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings The case study results in the identification of four examples of RRIPs co-constructed by and implemented by a group of LGBT+ older adults, service providers and researchers. It also demonstrates a process for improving institutional information practices so that marginalized populations have the support necessary to meet their information needs and remove related information barriers. Research limitations/implications This study represents one deployment of RRIPs. Other research should test RRIPs with differing populations in various contexts. The findings expand current understandings of information marginalization theory and information practices. Originality/value This study is among the first information practice frameworks to enact a two-way dialogue between marginalized populations and institutions. It could encourage additional research and changes to information practices, which would make them more useful for supporting marginalized populations.