University Of Washington Information School
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The Information School (abbreviated as iSchool) is the information school of the
University of Washington The University of Washington (UW and informally U-Dub or U Dub) is a public research university in Seattle, Washington, United States. Founded in 1861, the University of Washington is one of the oldest universities on the West Coast of the Uni ...
, a public research university in
Seattle Seattle ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Washington and in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. With a population of 780,995 in 2024, it is the 18th-most populous city in the United States. The city is the cou ...
,
Washington Washington most commonly refers to: * George Washington (1732–1799), the first president of the United States * Washington (state), a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States * Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States ** A ...
. Formerly the Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences since 1984, the Information School changed its focus and name in 2001. The school offers undergraduate and graduate programs, including a BS in Informatics, a Master of Library Science MLIS degree, a Master of Science in Information Management, a Museology MA, and a
PhD A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, DPhil; or ) is a terminal degree that usually denotes the highest level of academic achievement in a given discipline and is awarded following a course of graduate study and original research. The name of the deg ...
in Information Science.


History

In 1911, it was a library school founded by Harriet Howe, Josephine Meissner, William E. Henry and Charles W. Smith, established in response to a growing need in the Western United States for highly trained, well-prepared librarians. Prior to 1911, librarians in the Pacific Northwest were trained through a six-week summer course offered at the University of Washington. Name changes include: (1911-1916) Department of Library Economy; (1916-1932) Library School; (1932-1935) Department of Library Science in the Graduate School; (1935-1984) School of Librarianship; and (1984-2001) Graduate School of Library and Information Science. Finally, in 2001, the school was renamed the Information School, becoming the newest independent school at the University of Washington. ''Dean Emeritus Michael Eisenberg said, “I want to bring together many of the best things that are going on at the UW, as well as introducing some new things. Information science is a discipline that studies the organization, management, processing and use of information by people in every possible environment. We also plan to take advantage of the leading role that Northwest companies are playing in this transformation. Our students will be trained to make important contributions to society. And our discipline also will be working closely with other campus departments. I believe there is a void in information technology—the ability to apply technology to various fields, as it can be done by an information professional.”'' The Information School introduced several new continuing education certificate programs and degree programs in 2000 in response to changes in how people create, store, find, manipulate and share information. Under the leadership of Professor and Dean Emeritus Michael Eisenberg, the Information School introduced the Bachelor of Science in Informatics, online Master of Library and Information Science, Master of Science in Information Management, and Ph.D. in Information Science. In 2023, under the leadership of Professor and Dean Anind Dey, the University of Washington Museology program became a part of the Information School, adding an additional degree option with the MA in Museology.


Directors and deans

# 1914-1931 William E. Henry # 1931-1945 Ruth Worden # 1945-1950 Robert L. Gitler # 1950-1955 Gladys Boughton (acting, 1950-1952) # 1955-1956 Dorothy Bevis (acting) # 1956-1972 Irving Lieberman # 1972-1974 Mae Benne (acting) # 1974-1981 Peter Hiatt # 1981-1992 Margaret E. Chisholm (acting, 1981-1983) # 1992-1993 Edmond Mignon (acting) # 1993-1996 Phyllis Van Orden # 1996-1997 Edward Bassett (acting) # 1997-1998 Betty Bengtson (acting) # 1998-2006 Michael Eisenberg # 2006-2017 Harry Bruce # 2017-2018 Carole Palmer (acting) # 2018–present Anind Dey


Curriculum


Bachelor's program

The Information School offers one undergraduate degree: the Bachelor of Science in
Informatics Informatics is the study of computational systems. According to the Association for Computing Machinery, ACM Europe Council and Informatics Europe, informatics is synonymous with computer science and computing as a profession, in which the centra ...
. The Informatics program is focused on the design of
information systems An information system (IS) is a formal, sociotechnical, organizational system designed to collect, process, store, and distribute information. From a sociotechnical perspective, information systems comprise four components: task, people, structu ...
and services, with particular emphasis on the following focus areas: * Data Science * Health & Well-Being * Human-Computer Interaction * Information Architecture * Information Assurance and Cybersecurity * Information Management * Information & Society * Software Development The program touches on privacy issues,
ethics Ethics is the philosophy, philosophical study of Morality, moral phenomena. Also called moral philosophy, it investigates Normativity, normative questions about what people ought to do or which behavior is morally right. Its main branches inclu ...
, and
management Management (or managing) is the administration of organizations, whether businesses, nonprofit organizations, or a Government agency, government bodies through business administration, Nonprofit studies, nonprofit management, or the political s ...
, as well as design,
search engines Search engines, including web search engines, selection-based search engines, metasearch engines, desktop search tools, and web portals and vertical market websites have a search facility for online databases. By content/topic Gene ...
, web development, and
database In computing, a database is an organized collection of data or a type of data store based on the use of a database management system (DBMS), the software that interacts with end users, applications, and the database itself to capture and a ...
design. Students study a broad range of areas in the information field, including: information management and technology, information-related research, interactive system design, human-computer interaction, and information science, with a goal of improving user experiences and technology access. The program's curriculum culminates in a design or research capstone project. The Informatics program has the largest enrollment of any program at the iSchool. Graduates of the Informatics program typically go on to jobs such as: *
Information architect Information architecture (IA) is the structural design of shared information environments; the art and science of organizing and labelling websites, intranets, online communities and software to support usability and findability; and an emerging ...
*
Web designer Web design encompasses many different skills and disciplines in the production and maintenance of websites. The different areas of web design include web graphic design; user interface design (UI design); authoring, including standardised code an ...
* Content strategist * Interface designer *
Network administrator A network administrator is a person designated in an organization whose responsibility includes maintaining computer infrastructures with emphasis on local area networks (LANs) up to wide area networks (WANs). Responsibilities may vary between or ...
* IT director/manager * Database manager *
Software engineer Software engineering is a branch of both computer science and engineering focused on designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software applications. It involves applying engineering principles and computer programming expertise to develop ...
* Technology solutions consultant *
Project manager A project manager is a professional in the field of project management. Project managers have the responsibility of the Project planning, planning, procurement and execution of a project, in any undertaking that has a defined scope, defined star ...
*
Web developer A web developer is a programmer who develops World Wide Web applications using a client–server model. The applications typically use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in the client, and any general-purpose programming language in the server. is used ...
*
Systems analyst A systems analyst, also known as business technology analyst, is an information technology (IT) professional who specializes in analyzing, designing and implementing information systems. Systems analysts assess the suitability of information syst ...
*
Business analyst A business analyst (BA) is a person who processes, interprets and documents business processes, products, services and software through analysis of data. The role of a business analyst is to ensure business efficiency increases through their kno ...
*
Program manager Program Manager is the shell of Windows 3.x and Windows NT 3.x operating systems. This shell exposed a task-oriented graphical user interface (GUI), consisting of ''icons'' ( shortcuts for programs) arranged into ''program groups''. It replaced ...
*
Product manager A product manager (PM) is a professional role that is responsible for the development of products for an organization, known as the practice of product management. Product managers own the product strategy behind a product (physical or digital), ...
*
User experience designer Ancient Egyptian roles * User (ancient Egyptian official), an ancient Egyptian nomarch (governor) of the Eighth Dynasty * Useramen, an ancient Egyptian vizier also called "User" Other uses * User (computing), a person (or software) using an ...
* Usability engineer * Network manager * Information security and assurance professional *
Software developer Software development is the process of designing and Implementation, implementing a software solution to Computer user satisfaction, satisfy a User (computing), user. The process is more encompassing than Computer programming, programming, wri ...


Informatics minor

In 2017, the Information School added an Informatics minor. The minor complements a variety of majors on campus by offering students an opportunity to learn about data, design, policy, ethics, and code in order to solve information problems. It may be especially helpful to students in the humanities and social sciences who wish to know more about data, code, design, and policy. The Informatics minor is open (not competitive or capacity-constrained, unlike most UW majors to which students must apply). In order to declare the Informatics minor, students need to have declared a major and should contact the advising staff of their major for the appropriate procedures. A minimum of 25 credits. A minimum grade of 2.0 must be earned in each class being used to fulfill the minor requirements.


Master's programs

The Information School offers two master's degrees: the Master of Science in
Information Management Information management (IM) is the appropriate and optimized capture, storage, retrieval, and use of information. It may be personal information management or organizational. Information management for organizations concerns a cycle of organiz ...
(MSIM) and the
Master of Library and Information Science The Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) is the master's degree that combines two interdisciplinary academic disciplines. Library science is applied information science and a subfield of information science. This degree focuses on inf ...
(MLIS).


Master of Science in Information Management (MSIM)

The MSIM program ( Master of Information Management) takes a multidisciplinary approach to the management of information systems and policy. It draws on
computer science Computer science is the study of computation, information, and automation. Computer science spans Theoretical computer science, theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, and information theory) to Applied science, ...
,
business Business is the practice of making one's living or making money by producing or Trade, buying and selling Product (business), products (such as goods and Service (economics), services). It is also "any activity or enterprise entered into for ...
, information science,
philosophy Philosophy ('love of wisdom' in Ancient Greek) is a systematic study of general and fundamental questions concerning topics like existence, reason, knowledge, Value (ethics and social sciences), value, mind, and language. It is a rational an ...
,
design A design is the concept or proposal for an object, process, or system. The word ''design'' refers to something that is or has been intentionally created by a thinking agent, and is sometimes used to refer to the inherent nature of something ...
, and
law Law is a set of rules that are created and are enforceable by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior, with its precise definition a matter of longstanding debate. It has been variously described as a science and as the ar ...
to inform its curriculum. The MSIM program is offered residentially on the
University of Washington campus The Campus of the University of Washington is located in the University District of Seattle. Campus buildings are categorized by the major street or vicinity on which they are located on campus. In 2011, ''Slate'' magazine and ''Travel + Leis ...
and offered online. Graduates work in a variety of professional areas and positions, including, but not limited to: * Information Architect * User Experience Designer * Data Visualization Specialist * Systems Analyst * Data Scientist * Software Design Engineer * Risk Consultant * Web Computing Specialist * Network Administrator * Database Developer * Cybersecurity Professional * Project Manager


Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)

The MLIS is the iSchool's oldest degree. It is a professional degree that prepares students for careers in
library A library is a collection of Book, books, and possibly other Document, materials and Media (communication), media, that is accessible for use by its members and members of allied institutions. Libraries provide physical (hard copies) or electron ...
and information professions. The MLIS program offers two degree options: 1) residential, and 2) online. In 2017 the iSchool's MLIS program was ranked #2 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.US News & World Report 2017 Library and Information Studies School Ranking

/ref> The program consists of three elements: core courses, electives, and a final degree project. Program requirements are the same for students in the Residential MLIS and Online MLIS programs. Additionally, the iSchool offers a third MLIS degree—the law librarianship master's program, a degree designed to prepare lawyers to serve as law librarians. The program is designed to take 10 months for full-time students and 22 months for part-time students to complete. The UW iSchool’s law librarianship program provides the highest level of preparation for a career in legal information. The curriculum blends a strong theoretical foundation in the principles of information science with the specialized legal research, technological and operational background they will need to thrive as a law librarian. An accompanying internship allows students to further build their technical skills.


Ph.D. program

The Ph.D. program is a theoretical, research-based doctorate in the field of Information Science. Research areas include: * Biomedical and Health Informatics *
Data Science Data science is an interdisciplinary academic field that uses statistics, scientific computing, scientific methods, processing, scientific visualization, algorithms and systems to extract or extrapolate knowledge from potentially noisy, stru ...
*
Digital Humanities Digital humanities (DH) is an area of scholarly activity at the intersection of computing or Information technology, digital technologies and the disciplines of the humanities. It includes the systematic use of digital resources in the humanitie ...
* Digital Youth and Learning Sciences * Human-Computer Interaction and Design *
Indigenous Knowledge Traditional knowledge (TK), indigenous knowledge (IK), folk knowledge, and local knowledge generally refers to knowledge systems embedded in the cultural traditions of regional, indigenous, or local communities. Traditional knowledge include ...
* Information Organization and Management *
Library and Information Science Library and information science (LIS)Library and Information Sciences is the name used in the Dewey Decimal Classification for class 20 from the 18th edition (1971) to the 22nd edition (2003). are two interconnected disciplines that deal with inf ...
Ph.D. program alumni have gone on to careers in public sectors (tenure-track faculty, post-doctoral researchers, administrators in higher education) and private sectors (industry researchers, business/industry positions).


Leadership

The Founding Board offers strategic advice to the dean with a focus on building awareness of and attracting resources to the Information School. The Founding Board also leads fundraising initiatives for the Information School. Anind Dey was named Dean of the Information School in 2017, and serves in this role currently.


Faculty

As of October 2023, the Information School's faculty numbered 79 core members, along with numerous adjunct and affiliated faculty members. Notable faculty include: * Harry Bruce, dean emeritus * Ryan Calo, professor * Marika Cifor, assistant professor * Lorcan Dempsey, Distinguished Practitioner in Residence * Michael Eisenberg, dean emeritus * Batya Friedman, professor emerita and co-creator of
value sensitive design Value sensitive design (VSD) is a theoretically grounded approach to the design of technology that accounts for human values in a principled and comprehensive manner. VSD originated within the field of information systems design and human-comput ...
* Amy J. Ko, professor, Informatics program chair, and inventor of the programming language Wordplay * David M. Levy, professor emeritus * Cheryl Metoyer-Duran, professor emerita known for her research in
tribal knowledge Tribal knowledge is knowledge that is known within an in-group of people but unknown outside of it. A tribe, in this sense, is a group of people that share such a common knowledge. In the context of corporations, tribal knowledge or know-how has ...
* Jacob O. Wobbrock, professor and
mobile computing Mobile computing is human–computer interaction in which a computer is expected to be transported during normal usage and allow for transmission of data, which can include voice and video transmissions. Mobile computing involves mobile commun ...
researcher


Notable alumni

* Lester Asheim, 1937: Librarian and scholar of library science and film history. *
Beverly Cleary Beverly or Beverley may refer to: Places Australia * Beverley, South Australia, a suburb of Adelaide * Beverley, Western Australia, a town * Shire of Beverley, Western Australia Canada * Beverly, Alberta, a town that amalgamated with the City ...
, 1939: Author of children's and young adult fiction. *
John Y. Cole John Y. Cole (born July 30, 1940) is an American librarian, historian, and author. He was the founding director of the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress and in 2016 became the first official historian of the Library of Congress. Edu ...
, 1963: Librarian, historian and author. *
Tracie D. Hall Tracie D. Hall (born 1968) is an American librarian, author, curator, and advocate for the arts who served as the executive director of the American Library Association from 2020 to 2023. Hall is the first African American woman to lead the asso ...
, 2000: Librarian, author and advocate for the arts.


Student organizations

The Information School offers opportunities for students to participate in professional and student communities. iSchool student groups include: * AIMS (the Association of Information Management Students) * ALISS UW (the Association of Information Science Students) * ARLISNAP (Art Library Students and New ARLIS Professionals) * ASIS&T (American Society for Information Science and Technology) * DSA (Doctoral Student Association) * Dubhacks (Tech and entrepreneurship focus) * Dubstech (Tech community that hosts workshops, hackathons, and talks on design, data science, and software engineering) * GPSS (Graduate and Professional Students Senate) * * (a community for online MLIS students) * iQueeries, (Providing a community and a voice for all LGBTQIA+ students at the iSchool) * ISACA UW (Chapter of
ISACA ISACA is an international professional association focused on IT (information technology) governance. On its IRS filings, it is known as the Information Systems Audit and Control Association, although ISACA now goes by its acronym only.
, a professional organization with a focus on cybersecurity and emerging tech) * (the iSchool's volunteer and service organization) * IUGA (Informatics Undergraduate Association) * SAA UW (Chapter of the Society of American Archivists) * SALA (The University of Washington's Student Chapter of the
American Library Association The American Library Association (ALA) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world. History 19th century ...
) * SLA (Special Libraries Association) * SOCLIS (Students of Color in Library and Information Science at UW) * Student Leadership Council * WINFO (Women In Informatics)


Facilities

The school is in Mary Gates Hall, one of several university buildings bordering Drumheller Fountain. Formerly known as the Physics Building, it was renamed in 1995 after receipt of a $10 million gift from the family of Mary Maxwell Gates. In 1999 a $35 million expansion added updated classrooms and computer labs, office spaces, and commons, transforming the 1928 historic building and 1949 addition into a 175,000-square-foot quadrangle with a skylit commons at its center and a new main entry facing Suzzallo Library. The architects of the original building were
John Graham & Company John Graham & Company, or John Graham & Associates was the name of an architectural firm, founded in 1900 in Seattle, Washington, by English-born architect John Graham (1873–1955), and maintained by his son John Graham Jr. (1908–1991). The f ...
and the architects of record for the 1999 expansion were
Bassetti Architects Bassetti Architects is an architectural firm based in Seattle, Washington with a second office in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1947, the firm has newly designed or substantially renovated several well-known Seattle landmarks and many schools in th ...
.UW Buildings History
Retrieved 2011-10-21
The Information School also has offices in the
UW Tower The UW Tower is a high-rise office building complex located in the University District of Seattle, Washington, United States. It was completed in 1975 and serves as the head offices of the University of Washington. The 22-story tower was desig ...
and in the Suzzallo-Allen Libraries.


References

{{Authority control
Information School An information school (sometimes abbreviated I-school or iSchool) is a university-level institution committed to understanding the role of information in nature and human endeavors. Synonyms include school of information, department of informat ...
Information schools 1911 establishments in Washington (state) Universities and colleges established in 1911