Public Interest Technology University Network
The Public Interest Technology University Network is a consortium of universities and foundations who collaborate to develop technology in the public interest. The members established the organization in March 2019.[1]
The group currently has 43 member universities from across the U.S. including Arizona State University, City University of New York, Harvard University, Howard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley.[1]
The organization seeks to address challenges between industry and society.[2] Member institutions are committed to bringing students and educators from multiple disciplines together to solve the toughest challenges our country and world face, by building the nascent field of public interest technology and growing a new generation of civic-minded technologists. Through the development of curricula, research agendas, and experiential learning programs in the public interest technology space, these institutions are using innovative tactics with the aim to develop graduates with multiple fluencies at the intersection of technology and policy.[3]
In October 2019 the organization awarded US$3 million in grants to 27 institutions.[4] The organization has since awarded two more rounds of funding through the PIT University Network Challenge. In 2020 28 institutions were awarded grants totaling $4.4 million, and in November 2021 $3.61 million was awarded to 24 grantees.[5][6] Grants are exclusively available via application to members of PIT-UN.[6]
Members[]
The full list of current PIT-UN members as of November 2021 is:[3]
- University of Arizona
- Arizona State University
- University of California, Berkeley
- Boston University
- Cal Poly State University
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Case Western Reserve University
- The University of Chicago
- The City University of New York
- Cleveland State University
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Florida International University
- Georgetown University
- George Washington University
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Georgia State University
- Harvard University
- Howard University
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Miami Dade College
- University of Michigan
- Nazareth College
- New York University
- The Ohio State University
- Olin College of Engineering
- Pardee RAND Graduate School
- University of Pennsylvania
- The Pennsylvania State University
- Pepperdine University
- Princeton University
- Rochester Institute of Technology
- San Jose State University
- University of California Santa Cruz
- University of the South (Sewanee)
- Stanford University
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Virginia
- Virginia Tech
- University of Washington
- William & Mary
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Educational institutions interested in joining PIT UN for 2022 can submit their application from September 14 until November 30 2021.[7]
Public Interest Technology[]
New America, one of the partner organizations of the Public Interest Technology University Network, defines Public Interest Technology as "technology that adopts best practices in human-centered design, product development, process re-engineering, and data science to solve public problems in an inclusive, iterative manner—continuously learning, improving, and aiming to deliver better outcomes to the public."[8]
The Ford Foundation definition is "technology used to serve justice and the public interest."[9]
X4Impact[10] defines Public Interest Technology as "a field dedicated to leveraging technology and proven sustainability models to support social sector organizations in delivering on their missions",[11] and uses Technology for the Public Interest – Tech4PI Principles developed in collaboration with Giving Tech Labs and other partners.[11][12] These principles are:
- Build Long-lasting Operational Capacity with Sustainability Models in Place
- Measure Impact at a Systemic Level
- Data Driven, Under Ethical Principles
- Centered on Empathy and Inclusion
- Change Through Collective Impact
In the US there are over 1,700 Technologies organized under one or many UN SDGs published by this Free Online Directory of Public Interest Technology Solutions.
References[]
- ^ a b Singer, Natasha (11 March 2019). "Top Universities Join to Push 'Public Interest Technology'". The New York Times.
- ^ Hines, Michael (10 March 2020). "What Is Public Interest Technology?". Built In.
- ^ a b "Members". New America. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
- ^ "Public Interest Technology University Network Receives $3.1 Million". Philanthropy News Digest (PND).
- ^ "Network Challenge". New America. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
- ^ a b "As Big Tech Faces Scrutiny, 24 Universities Get $3.6M from Major Foundations to Fuel Inclusive Public Interest Technology". New America. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
- ^ "Apply to be a Member". New America. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
- ^ "Public Interest Technology". New America. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
- ^ "Public Interest Tech". Ford Foundation. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
- ^ "Press Release: X4Impact, a Market Intelligence Platform for Social Innovation, Announced U.S. Launch During the 2020 Un General Assembly - NextBillion". nextbillion.net. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
- ^ a b "X4impact - X4i.org - Tech4PI Principles - Technology for the Public Interest". X4impact. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
- ^ "Tech for Public Interest at Giving Tech Labs - Tech4PI". Giving Tech Labs. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
External links[]
- University organizations
- 2019 establishments in the United States