iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 30/09/2026

IMLS recently awarded a grant to CALMA for a project led by Sharon Streams, Ben Lee and Jessica Luke. The project aims to develop a research roadmap for cultural institutions, highlighting areas of shared value and proposing next steps for collaboration. ischool.uw.edu/news/2026/09...

CALMA wins grant to build research roadmap for libraries, museums, archives. Photos of Ben Lee, Sharon Streams, and Jessica Luke. Decorative purple and gold graphic. Center for Advances in Libraries, Museums and Archives. University of Washington Information School.

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 23/09/2026

Campus is brimming with new-school-year excitement, and we’re glad to welcome all incoming students to UW, whether you’re joining us here on campus or online from where you live. New students, we hope you will attend our iWelcome event this week. Please check your email for info. And happy fall! 💜

The exterior of the Husky Union Building (HUB) at the University of Washington. Purple “welcome new Huskies” banners flank the doorway.

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 21/09/2026

Join the dynamic, interdisciplinary faculty at the University of Washington Information School. We're hiring for the following positions: (1/4) • Assistant Professor, Tenure-Track, AI: ischool.uw.edu/about/jobs/f...

The large bronze "W" statue at the north end of the University of Washington campus in Seattle, pictured on a sunny early fall day.

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 17/09/2026

UW Information School Ph.D. student Imani Finkley spoke with @uwnews.uw.edu about her new study looking at gender in AI-generated stories for children: bit.ly/AIinKidsStor...

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 16/09/2026

As director of responsible AI practice at @microsoft.com, alum Steph Ballard, Ph.D. '23, MLIS '17, is helping shape how one of the world's biggest tech companies handles AI safety. She was recently honored with the iSchool's GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Award. Read more: bit.ly/StephBallard

bit.ly

Alum leads Microsoft's efforts to 'get it right' on AI safety

As AI models continue to grow more capable, some are beginning to behave unpredictably outside their testing environments. It is a pattern that raises conc...

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 14/09/2026

iSchool alumni - do you have an update to share? Drop your update through the link below for a chance to be featured! 💜🎉 ischool.uw.edu/alumni/updates

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 11/09/2026

In his newest podcast episode, released on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Associate Professor Joe Janes addresses what was left after the attacks. “‘Never forget’ is easy to say, but difficult to achieve without tangible reminders,” Janes says. Listen to the podcast: ischool.uw.edu/podcasts/dtc...

A photographer pauses to take a picture of the wreckage and recovery at the World Trade Center. Photo by Michael Rieger. 2001.

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 11/09/2026

Are you interested in Ph.D. programs? The UW Information School in Seattle is recruiting graduate students for the 2027-2028 academic year. Applications are due Dec. 2. Learn more: ischool.uw.edu/programs/phd...

ischool.uw.edu

Earn your Ph.D. at the UW iSchool

The iSchool seeks outstanding students to join our Ph.D. program.

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 01/09/2026

Associate Professor and UW KidsTeam Director @jasoncyip.bsky.social and Aayushi Dangol of @hcde.uw.edu are in a new @uwnews.uw.edu video about AI toys. "It's mportant for the public to understand that this isn't something we can take lightly anymore," Yip says. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB09...

youtube.com

How We’re Testing AI Toys

YouTube video by UW (University of Washington)

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 28/08/2026

Join us for an evening with Christina Soontornvat on Thurs. Oct. 8, for the 2026 Spencer G. Shaw Lecture. This is a hybrid event at the UW and online. @soontornvat.bsky.social Soontornvat is a bestselling author, engineer and STEM educator. We hope you can join us! Register: bit.ly/shawlecture26

Spencer Shaw Lecture 2026. Colorful graphic poster image (made by humans, sorry for any issues) in purple, black, yellow, pink and gold. Book covers for The Last Mapmaker, Legends of Lotus Island, All Thirteen, and A Wish in the Dark are shown alongside a photo of author Christina Soontornvat. Text reads, "Shaw Lecture. Oct. 8, 2026, 7 PM PST, Hybrid. University of Washington HUB and online. Free event. Join us for this year's Spencer G. Shaw Lecture featuring award-winning author, engineer and STEM educator, Christina Soontornvat!" University of Washington Information School. 25th Anniversary.

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 25/08/2026

Startup spotlight: Nathanael Elongo, MSIM '25, founded OpsFrame inspired by a mission to simplify financial and operational complexity through integrated technology and decision intelligence. Best of luck with your venture, Nathanael! Learn more about the #startup: ischool.uw.edu/alumni/spotl...

Information School Startup Spotlight: OpsFrame. Nathanael Elongo founded OpsFrame after recognizing a common challenge facing small businesses: time wasted on payroll management and endless spreadsheets of financial data rather than being spent on growth.

His experience working alongside small-business owners, and as a small business owner himself, inspired a mission to simplify financial and operational complexity through integrated technology and decision intelligence.

That mission became OpsFrame. Through integrated technology, decision intelligence, and streamlined payroll solutions, OpsFrame helps owners navigate an already complicated system by bringing critical business decisions into a single, intelligent system.

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 25/08/2026

Interested in studying at the University of Washington Information School? Join one of our upcoming information sessions: www.bit.ly/futureischoolstudents

Autumnal view of a University of Washington campus building in Seattle, with a stone and red brick archway in a collegiate gothic architecture style and red and gold leaves in the foreground.

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 20/08/2026

Melanie Walsh and Michelle H. Martin of the Information School faculty and Ph.D. student Imani Finkley were interviewed by @seattletimes.com about Walsh, Finkley and Yuanxi Li's research on AI models' predictions of characters' gender in children's stories. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...

seattletimes.com

UW researchers say AI-generated kids' books can twist biases in strange ways

AI-generated content has become more common in children's books. What happens to gender diversity when AI writes about animal characters?

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 20/08/2026

Alexis Hiniker and Katie Davis, Information School faculty and co-directors of the Center for Digital Youth, are among a group of experts on children and technology who are quoted in The New York Times' tech guide for parents: www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/r...

nytimes.com

A Step-by-Step Tech Guide for Parents Who Live in the Real World

Whether you’re focused on introducing screen time to a toddler or social media to a teen, we’ve compiled expert guidance to help your family manage tech with more curiosity and less conflict.

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 19/08/2026

Our IDEAS team (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Sovereignty) has been leading a series of events to bring Information School students, staff and faculty together to pause, connect, and vote for their favorite treats. Thanks to everyone who joined - and congrats to our paper plate winner!

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Reposted by University of Washington Information School

WA Office of the Secretary of State @secstatewa.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs appointed Melody Sky Weaver to serve as the next Washington State Librarian. Read the full news release: bit.ly/4fTOEcI

The image features a quote from Steve R. Hobbs, Washington Secretary of State, praising Melody's public service and library leadership. The background contains abstract geometric shapes in purple and blue.

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 12/08/2026

Hope everyone is enjoying the summer! We look forward to welcoming students back to campus when fall classes start on Wed., Sept. 30.

A ferry boat pictured against the setting sun with the Olympic mountains in the background.

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Reposted by University of Washington Information School

uofwa.uw.edu @uofwa.uw.edu · 06/08/2026

UW experts have shared practical guidance for navigating wildfire season, including how to track air quality, reduce smoke exposure, prepare for evacuations and manage stress. Follow the link to learn more. www.washington.edu/news/2026/08...

A straight, dark road with a yellow double line extends through dry, green-brown desert scrubland. A faded, diamond-shaped sign stands left. The sky is entirely filled with dense, orange and red smoke, suggesting a large fire or dust storm, obscuring the horizon.

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 07/08/2026

Incoming Assistant Professor Ben Laufer recently published a new paper in PNAS. Laufer, Jon Kleinberg & Hoda Heidari explore incentive effects of AI safety regulation using a mathematical model. (1/2) Check out the study: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... @pnas.org @laufer.bsky.social

"The backfiring effect of weak AI safety regulation." Screenshot of article published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), a peer reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). July 20, 2026. Full text available at https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2509768123.

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 05/08/2026

We look forward to welcoming you to our faculty!

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 30/07/2026

🌏Information School faculty members Tanushree Mitra and Chirag Shah are among eight @uofwa.uw.edu researchers selected as Fulbright Scholars for 2026-2027. Learn more about their projects, and which countries and global universities they'll work within: www.washington.edu/news/2026/07...

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 30/07/2026

Attending #IC2S2? Check out the research presentation by UW Information School Ph.D. Candidate & Predoctoral Instructor Shahan Ali Memon, along with Eva Maxfield Brown, David Farr and Nic Weber!

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 28/07/2026

Informatics alum Daniel Chen '22, pictured at left, is one of three @uofwa.uw.edu alumni to receive the prestigious Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans. Chen now pursuing a doctoral degree at UCLA. Congratulations! www.washington.edu/news/2026/05...

Daniel G. Chen, Briana Martin-Villa and Ethan Shen.

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 15/07/2026

🌇 After a busy year, our social team is on vacation mode through July 21. In the meantime, here are some ways to keep up with the Information School at ischool.uw.edu: 🗓️ Check out our upcoming events list 🌐 Browse our recent stories 🎓️ Learn about our academic programs Wishing you joy and rest!

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 15/07/2026

Informatics students Derek Liu, Keira Wong, Cleo Reyes and Chelsea Li, along with recent grad Kathryn Rochleau-Rice, ’26, developed a new semantic video search tool called Obby, designed to make finding video clips a breeze: ischool.uw.edu/news/2026/07...

ischool.uw.edu

Informatics team delivers video search app for Microsoft

If you were a travel vlogger who had just gotten back from, say, a trip to Seattle to watch the U.S. men's World Cup soccer team trounce Australia, and you...

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 14/07/2026

Assistant Professor Melanie Walsh reimagined the LIS 572: Introduction to Data Science course as a way to bridge librarianship & data science. She encourages students to build technical skills, experiment creatively & analyze unique data sets using their new tools. ischool.uw.edu/news/2026/06...

ischool.uw.edu

'Dynamic combination': Course bridges data science, librarianship

Information School Assistant Professor Melanie Walsh describes the bridge between librarianship and information science as a “dynamic combination.�...

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 14/07/2026

We had a blast at #ALA2026! Thanks to everyone who came by the iSchool booth at the conference to say hi, swap pins, and otherwise celebrate the 25th anniversary in Chicago. It was wonderful to connect with many alumni, faculty (past, present and future), students and supporters in the Windy City.

Michelle H. Martin, Karen Fisher and Jennifer Siembor.

Chance Hunt and alumni gather at the Information School booth.

Violet Fox and Aaliyah Johnson at the ALA Conference in Chicago.

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 13/07/2026

The Daily recently interviewed Ph.D. candidate Katherine Cross about Posy, a new student-built dating app that takes a personality-first approach to matchmaking. @quinnae.com @thedailyuw.bsky.social www.dailyuw.com/article/stud...

dailyuw.com

Student-built app Posy enters the Seattle dating scene

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 13/07/2026

The UW Information School welcomes four faculty members with broad research, teaching and leadership expertise. Meet the new faculty cohort: Nicholas Hernandez, Crystal Yragui, Yaman Yu and Benjamin Laufer. ischool.uw.edu/news/2026/07...

ischool.uw.edu

Information School welcomes new faculty cohort

The University of Washington Information School is honored to welcome four faculty members who are joining or taking on new roles in the school. These scho...

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 09/07/2026

🏐 “I really fell in love with the challenge,” says student-athlete Katarina Pantovic of her chosen sport, beach volleyball. She’s been working toward her goals of competing at the Olympics, and earning her MSIM graduate degree at the @uofwa.uw.edu Information School. ischool.uw.edu/news/2026/07...

ischool.uw.edu

Beach volleyball player digs for her MSIM

Katarina Pantovic spent her undergrad years playing indoor volleyball in California and British Columbia, then switched sports in 2024 because she wanted t...

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Reposted by University of Washington Information School

Ben Lee @bcgl.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

1/ Announcing GovScape – a public search system for 10 million U.S. government PDFs (70 million pages)! GovScape offers visual search, semantic text search, and keyword search. Explore below: Website: www.govscape.net ArXiv link: arxiv.org/abs/2511.11010

govscape.net

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 07/07/2026

A research team led by @bcgl.bsky.social created GovScape, a search system for documents archived at the end of each presidential term. Users can search terms or elements like “FAFSA” or “redacted documents.” Read the latest iSchool story from @uwnews.uw.edu: www.washington.edu/news/2026/06...

The GovScape search tool shows a grid of redacted documents with significant passages blacked out. The project is led by Benjamin Charles Germain Lee, UW Information School assistant professor. Photo: University of Washington.

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 03/07/2026

Ph.D. student Imani Finkley, Informatics grad Yuanxi Li and Assistant Professor Melanie Walsh’s presented their paper Neutrality Bites: Gender Representation in AI-Generated Animal Stories was part of the ACM #FAccT2026 in Montreal. Congrats to the team! Read the paper: dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/...

Finkley presents at the FAccT conference.

Research article screenshot. Please check link for further information.

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 02/07/2026

"The United States is a nation of stories," writes Joe Janes, iSchool Associate Professor, "from those shared by its first peoples to social media posts and videos and AI-generated slop. We’re also, as the first country to write itself into existence, a nation of documents and records." (1/2)

Banner graphic image reads, “Documents That Changed the World: America @ 250.” In the background are images from the Green Book, the “We can do it” poster that is often associated with Rosie the Riveter, the Voyager 'Golden Records,' sent to outer space, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Star-Spangled Banner, and the Declaration of Independence.

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 02/07/2026

Check out the new tool created by @hcde.uw.edu and iSchool affiliated researchers! What do you think - would you try an AI tool to help your research reach a wider audience?

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 30/06/2026

“Our students come from all over the state, so if you want to be an effective educator, you need to understand where your students come from,” said Pelle Tracey, iSchool assistant professor. Learn more about this year’s UW Faculty Field Tour across Washington: www.youtube.com/watch?v=25MA...

youtube.com

New UW faculty take a field trip through Washington state

YouTube video by UW (University of Washington)

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 26/06/2026

Ph.D. alum Xuhai Orson Xu was recently selected for this year’s Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list in the health care & sciences category. Xu is an assistant professor at Columbia University, where he leads the SEA Lab. He was advised by Dean Anind Dey while at the iSchool. www.forbes.com/profile/xu-x...

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 25/06/2026

MLIS alum Brian Bannon wrote a guest essay for The New York Times on how libraries and other civic endeavors can be part of the solution to increase rates of reading and literacy.

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 23/06/2026

Professor Chirag Shah's new book, "Agent Nation," explores the effects of autonomous AI and what people can can about them. Through research and real-world case studies, the book analyzes specific impacts and offers a foundation for regulation. ischool.uw.edu/news/2026/06...

Chirag Shah, Professor at the University of Washington Information School, holds up a copy of his book, “Agent Nation: How Autonomous AI Is Rewriting the Rules of Society-and What We Can Do About It.”

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 18/06/2026

Conrrado Saldivar, MLIS ’21 alum and guest faculty, is passionate about information access. He was recently named among @libraryjournal.bsky.social’s 2026 Movers and Shakers for his community work and efforts against legislation that adversely targets libraries. ischool.uw.edu/news/2026/06...

Conrrado Saldivar smiling and wearing a t-shirt featuring open books that says “Let Freedom Read.”

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Reposted by University of Washington Information School

uofwa.uw.edu @uofwa.uw.edu · 18/06/2026

Happy National Mascot Day! Name a more iconic duo. We'll wait. 😏

A happy husky dog with a purple bandana sits next to a husky mascot wearing a purple jersey with 'W' and '10', on a green stadium field. Spectators are blurred in the background. The dog has a tag that says 'DUBZ'.

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Reposted by University of Washington Information School

Library Journal @libraryjournal.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Conrrado Saldivar is an American Library Association Law for Librarians trainer and contributes to Casper College’s Paralegal Program Advisory Committee. Read more: hubs.la/Q04fjRcd0

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 17/06/2026

Portland alumni: We're heading to the City of Roses on Wed., July 15! Join us for Bark in the Park with the iSchool. Enjoy a Portland Pickles baseball game while connecting with fellow alumni. Invite a friend - furry or otherwise - and secure your spot today! RSVP: events.uw.edu/ZDxArr

Dubs, the University of Washington Husky Mascot, wears a heart headband and sniffs a red rose.

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Reposted by University of Washington Information School

uofwa.uw.edu @uofwa.uw.edu · 12/06/2026

Fifteen years after enrolling in college, taking one class at a time while raising her children, Mary-Elizabeth Merrill is graduating from the University of Washington with honors — a milestone that once felt impossible. www.washington.edu/boundless/a-...

A smiling woman in black graduation gown, mortarboard, and a purple stole with 'Class of 2016' displayed, raises both fists in triumph. Others in academic regalia are blurred in the background.

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 11/06/2026

We are proud to recognize Kristene Rutherford with our STAR Award (Staff Tribute and Recognition)! Kristene is the Associate Director of Finance at the Information School. Her strategic thinking and leadership have contributed to transparent, collaborative solutions. Congratulations, and thank you!

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 11/06/2026

Two UW iSchool Capstone teams have been working to test and improve an AI-powered chatbot called He@lio for teens. The MSIM students researched teens’ mental health challenges, established safety measures, and tested the tool using human-centered design principles.

ischool.uw.edu

MSIM team designs guardrails for mental-health chatbot

You’re a teen, hurting and confused, certain no one in the world has ever felt so low. You’re too embarrassed to talk to friends about it or go to the ...

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University of Washington Information School @ischool.uw.edu · 11/06/2026

With nearly 700 students graduating, the 2026 Information School Convocation was our largest yet. Read our story to learn about the award-winning students recognized at the ceremony, and to view the photo album: ischool.uw.edu/news/2026/06...

ischool.uw.edu

25th Convocation is Information School's biggest yet

Nearly 700 graduates were recognized at the University of Washington Information School’s 2026 Convocation ceremony as they crossed the stage in Alaska A...

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