Biography

James Lamar Foster, Ph.D., is a guest faculty at the University of Washington Information School, where he teaches courses on data-driven organizational problem solving. He is also a Senior Data Scientist at the Gates Foundation, specializing in operational expenses and employee experience. His work focuses on leveraging analytics to optimize organizational spending, improve decision-making, and enhance employee experience. At the iSchool, he emphasizes bridging theory and practice, helping students connect analytical rigor with real-world organizational challenges. Dr. Foster brings a blend of industry expertise and academic insight to his teaching and research, enabling students to apply data-driven approaches to complex workplace problems.Applied Research Methods