Technology is rapidly changing the way our society functions, and it has the potential to strengthen public institutions and create pathways for civic participation. Yet too often, technology is developed only for the sake of progress or in the name of innovation without a clear need or a thoughtful approach for how to best design the tools.
Civic technology is an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of tech, policy and human centered design with public impact at its core. It explores how people, digital tools, data and platforms can foster a more equitable, transparent and accountable civic society. Human-centered design processes engage users throughout development to create intuitive and accessible products and services. Washington State is uniquely positioned to develop civic technology, and the University of Washington is a world leader in these interdisciplinary research areas, leading tech collaborations for thoughtful and sustainable innovation in service to the public good.
We will develop civic technology infrastructure that fosters democratic participation, increases government transparency and supports education across K-12, higher education institutions and the broader public. By aligning the UW’s expertise and resources in civic technology, we can advance transparent, equitable governance and civic engagement across Washington State.
Impact in action
The University of Washington has a number of current programs that invest in building and scaling civic technology infrastructure. These programs include, but are not limited to, the following:
Design. Use. Build. (DUB)
Collaborating around the interaction of design, people, and technology.
eScience Institute
Partnering across the university to transform research.