PhD in Information Science - Information and Society in Seattle United States | University of Washington

Through academic coursework and practical training, doctoral students build a comprehensive understanding of information science, mastering how to pinpoint key challenges and systematically investigate solutions. They gain expertise in the breadth, historical context, methodologies, challenges, and theoretical foundations that characterize the iSchool's distinctive cross-disciplinary perspective on information studies. The iSchool's Ph.D. candidates arrive with diverse professional histories and educational foundations, spanning fields like information science, social sciences, computing, library science, legal studies, and IT.

Within the Information and Society research domain at the iSchool, we explore the systems, conversations, and structures that give meaning to information, data, and digital tools. Employing sociotechnical perspectives alongside human-centered, collaborative, and qualitative methods, we examine how data, knowledge, and ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) are collectively shaped by and across individuals, groups, and cultures. Our research consequently probes multifaceted issues ranging from progress, exclusion, and vulnerability to crises, innovation, and learning, with particular focus on equity, individual welfare, knowledge systems, data protection, and creative ownership.