Public libraries: help create new information literacy approaches for teens

October 2, 2024

The University of Washington Information School is looking for six public libraries to collaborate on creating information literacy programs and resources for teens. The intended impact is to co-design a sustainable resource that provides an authentic environment for information literacy instruction, while addressing instructional pitfalls of using “live” examples on social media. This project will…

Libraries can play a role in creating more inclusive programs and policies through inclusive data practices

September 9, 2024

We are excited to announce a new project to train rural libraries in community engagement strategies to gather and use meaningful community data. In collaboration with Califa and rural library staff, we are co-creating a free, on-demand online training program. This program will support library workers in creating opportunities for community members to actively participate…

Libraries pilot ‘The Euphorigen Investigation’ escape room

Red and black text that reads "The Euphorigen Investigation Escape Room" on a yellow background. To the left of the text are several icons, including a magnifying glass, an eye, and a blue file folder holding papers.

April 8, 2021

An investigative journalist suspiciously vanished last night, and the last thing they did was hand their laptop over to their trusted librarian. After opening the laptop and seeing the contents, the librarian grew alarmed and called you all in to help. The librarian knew the journalist was doing research on the company that makes Euphorigen,…

Escaping misinformation: How a digital escape room is combatting misinformation

Several wooden puzzles and toys sitting on top of a piece of dark blue cloth.

March 1, 2021

From small rumors to large conspiracy theories, social media and Internet communities have been overwhelmed with misinformation or false narratives that intentionally try to deceive the reader. Researchers from the University of Washington’s TASCHA, Center for an Informed Public, and GAMER Group, along with the co-founder of Puzzle Break, have teamed up to solve this…

How Public Libraries Can Help With Data Literacy and Build More Inclusive Data

A group of colorful hexagons. In the center of each hexagon are outlines of human heads with lightbulbs above them.

September 21, 2020

Earlier this summer, TASCHA Principal Research Scientist, Maria Garrido, and Senior Research Scientist, Chris Rothschild were invited by Infopeople to conduct a four-week online course intended to provide California librarians with the opportunity to learn about assessing marginalized voices in data and its importance from a public library perspective. The course was designed to explore…

Research on African Libraries in Development: Perceptions and Possibilities

September 15, 2020

Source: Afusat Ogunjimi, graduate of AfLIA Leadership Academy Cohort 1, Librarian, Oyo State Library Board, Nigeria.   By: Renee Lynch, Jason Young, Chris Jowaisas, Stanley Boakye-Achampong, and Joel Sam A Problem of Perception Over the past few years, TASCHA and African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA) have been collaborating on the Advancing Library…

Passion for Libraries and Immigrant Communities Guides Katya Yefimova’s Work at TASCHA

A black and white picture of Katya Yefimova smiling at the camera.

August 4, 2020

Katya Yefimova used to drive to a library branch across town just to browse Russian-language books on the shelves. Seattle traffic couldn’t deter the University of Washington Information School (iSchool) PhD candidate from her mission: Connecting her young daughter to her family’s language and heritage.  Yefimova knows first-hand that public libraries play an important role…

Strategies and Resources for Tech Assistance During a Pandemic

Digital tablet being pulled from a row of books

April 30, 2020

By: Stacey Wedlake, TASCHA Research Coordinator & Analyst As I wrote in my previous blog post, the ability to access basic needs during a pandemic relies on digital skills. As we’re seeing more and more, the pandemic exacerbates our societies’ inequalities, and communities in vulnerable situations need additional support and resources in order to “stay…

Public Scholarship at the UW Center for an Informed Public and Technology & Social Change Group

Title Slide for Applied Research and Public Scholarship

March 31, 2020

Being public is one of the core tenets of the University of Washington. Open scholarship and going public with our research means engaging the broader community with our work. But how do we do that? Going Public was a discussion and skill building event held in late March and addressed the issues of (in)equity that…

A Review of Tools, Resources, and Frameworks to Build Data for Decision-Making Capacity in Communities and Community Organizations

calm ocean at sunset

February 26, 2020

By Research Assistant Hanna Navarro and Chris Rothschild, Senior Research Scientist at TASCHA and a Nippon Foundation Ocean Nexus Fellow   What are the available resources, and what research-based frameworks have been established to understand D4D and structure D4D learning practices? TASCHA and the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs partnered to better understand how trainings to improve…