CONTACT ME: Joanne Zalatoris, zalatoris@newamerica.org
Illinois Institute of Technology, LeMoyne-Owen College, Northeastern University, Stillman College and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst join PIT-UN institutions with a commitment to a strong public interest technology framework on campus and to growing the technology sector public interest.
Washington, DC — New America is pleased to announce that five new member institutions have joined the Technology Public Interest University Network: Illinois Institute of Technology, LeMoyne-Owen College, Northeastern University, Stillman College and University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Since 2019, PIT-UN members have offered career models for professionals in training and supported faculty in their efforts to recognize public interest technology as an emerging discipline. Today, the network has grown to 48 member institutions across the United States.
The five new member universities will undertake a range of innovative work, including interdisciplinary research into implicit bias. championing ethical and equitable approaches to computing, modeling, and design; creating a public interest technology hub for historically Black colleges or universities in the South; and more. To date, PIT-UN has invested $11.6 million in projects to build a skilled and diverse pipeline of public interest technology professionals and researchers. PIT-UN members have developed 10 new technology institutes and public interest laboratories to facilitate interdisciplinary research and teaching, created 21 fellowships and communities of practice to share knowledge and best practices, and offered more than 60 new or redesigned courses under the public interest technology umbrella that have begun to form clear grade pathways.
“Now in our third year as an official network, I am excited to welcome Illinois Institute of Technology, LeMoyne-Owen College, Northeastern University, Stillman College, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst to the PIT community of educators, professionals UN, and technologists. Each of these new members will contribute to a growing body of research and best practices in the field of public interest technology. I am particularly encouraged by the growth of our network at a time when PIT-UN members have reaffirmed their commitment to bring a specific and sustained focus on equality, inclusion and justice to our work,” said Andreen Soley, director of Public Interest Technology Program in the New America.
PIT-UN is convened by New America, the Ford Foundation and the Hewlett Foundation. The network and challenge grants are funded through support from the Ford Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, Mastercard Impact Fund, with support from the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, The Raikes Foundation, Schmidt Futures and The Siegel Family Endowment.
“A world where technology used by the public is co-created with the public is a vision we share at Mastercard,” said Shamina Singh, Founder and President of the Center for Inclusive Development. “It is critical that the collaborative approach to public interest technology focuses on equity and inclusion to ensure that access to opportunity is open to everyone, everywhere.”
Moreover, the New America celebrates the re-engagement 43 PIT-UN member institutions at a meeting of university presidents and vice-chancellors late last year. These universities have reaffirmed their commitment to building the field of public interest technology, developing the Network, and continuing efforts to align technology with the highest social good. As a network of educational institutions preparing a new generation of citizen-driven technologists and digitally-infused policy leaders, PIT-UN members are committed to:
- Focus on race, equity, and diversity at PIT
- To deepen our commitment to equality and justice
- Engage and collaborate intentionally
- Create mechanisms to get recognition
- Leverage existing training programs and resources
- Continue to support experiential learning opportunities
- Establishment of new interagency projects and programs
Since its inception, PIT-UN has worked to advance the field of public interest technology to bring positive impact to communities around the world. A renewed commitment to focus on equity, inclusion and justice will ensure that communities most affected by policy problems have access to the development pipeline and resources to create policy solutions.
“Public interest technology provides a framework to focus diversity and inclusion in our efforts to educate the next generation of civic-minded technologists, as well as technologically adept humanitarians and social scientists, as we create solutions for a more just future,” he said. Sheryl Ehrman. , Don Beall Dean of San Jose State University's College of Engineering.
A full list of universities committed to these principles is available here.
The Public Interest Technology University Network is a collaboration of 48 colleges and universities convened by New America, the Ford Foundation and the Hewlett Foundation. The network and challenge grants are funded through support from the Ford Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, Mastercard Impact Fund, with support from the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, The Raikes Foundation, Schmidt Futures and The Siegel Family Endowment. PIT-UN is dedicated to building the field of public interest technology through curriculum development, faculty research opportunities, and experiential learning programs in order to inspire a new generation of civic-minded technologists and policy leaders.
