I am interested in understanding how interactions with information technologies influence children’s social and moral development, and how such knowledge can support the value-sensitive design of technology. I chose the UW iSchool for my graduate education because of the strong constellation of faculty who focus on the human experience of information interaction.

I came to the iSchool because the faculty whose research I was using in my own work are all at this school. I also wanted to come to a school that has a view on what information science is or can be, which is something I think the iSchool accomplishes through the core requirements of the Ph.D. program. In addition, the interdisciplinary strength of the faculty, consisting of people from library science, information policy, HCI, computer science, and the strong connection several of these have to the professional fields was very important to me. There is an enthusiastic drive in the iSchool that is advancing me in my own work which lies in information behavior and knowledge organization.

When I applied to the iSchool I was interested in working with one specific faculty member. However, the on-campus interview quickly sold me on the iSchool as a whole. In addition to having top-notch faculty, it became clear that the atmosphere of the iSchool was one of true collegiality, respect for different approaches to the discipline, and support for collaboration and interdisciplinary work. Most importantly, the iSchool is committed to doing research that matters and has real impact in the world outside the academe. The vibrant, open life at the iSchool has been a perfect environment for me to grow intellectually and develop as a researcher.

My research interests in human information behavior focus on information used when one negotiates entry into a new context. I have investigated information behaviors used by potential leaders throughout their ascent into the executive level of the workforce. UW, with its emphasis on building community, has provided a great environment and countless opportunities to explore a future career in research and teaching. This support has included funding as a UW Presidential Graduate Fellow and as a Project Athena Scholar, funded by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. As a Project Athena Scholar I have been able to address not only the need to replenish and diversify the LIS professorate, but also career paths taken by LIS professors, and opportunities for Master’s students to consider obtaining a Ph.D. in Information Science.