George Washington University faculty will develop and support three cross-disciplinary, collaborative research initiatives that center on using technology for public good after receiving funding from the Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN). The university joined the PIT-UN partnership, dedicated to growing a new interdisciplinary field around public interest technology, earlier this year.
GW is one of 36 colleges and university partners in the PIT-UN. Its aim is to place people, especially those most vulnerable or marginalized, at the center of technology development and grow a new generation of civic-minded technologists and digitally-fluent policy leaders. The GW PIT-UN group, led by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Susan Aaronson, a research professor in the Elliott School of International Affairs and director of the Digital Trade and Data Governance Hub, submitted three proposals for funding—all of which were accepted. The awards were announced at the PIT-UN Virtual Convening last week.