iSchool researchers focusing on digital youth explore the transformative potential of new and future technologies in young people’s lives. Drawing on a variety of methods and disciplinary perspectives, our work encompasses topics such as co-designing new technologies, youth well-being, computing education, developing literacies, and learning across contexts. Spanning global contexts, our research addresses the role of digital media and information technologies in relation to access and equity for youth and their communities. 

Visit the Digital Youth website for more information. 

Researchers

• Katie Davis
• Karen Fisher
• Maria Garrido
• Alexis Hiniker
• Michelle H. Martin
• Caroline Pitt
• Jean Salac
• Jason Yip

Current Projects and Grants

Creating Space for Teen Mental Health

Researcher: Jin Ha Lee
Funding: Institute of Museum and Library Services; $249,743
Dates: 2022-2025

Supporting the Development of Digital Playful Exploratory Resources to Combat Mis/disinformation through Online Intergenerational Co-design

PIs: Jason Yip, Jin Ha Lee, Chris Coward
Funding: Institute of Museum and Library Services; $249,917
Dates: 2022-2025

Technology Use and Emerging Executive Functioning in Early Childhood

PI: Alexis Hiniker
Funding: National Institutes of Health; $85,071
Dates: 2021-2023

Designing Digital Assistants for Prosocial Communication

PI: Alexis Hiniker
Funding: Jacobs Foundation; $165,000
Dates: 2021-2023

Setting an International, Cross-Disciplinary Agenda for Youth Digital Wellness Research

PIs: Katie Davis, Alexis Hiniker
Funding: University of Washington Global Innovation Fund; $8,862
Dates: 2021-2022

CAREER: Designing for Youth Invisible Work in Families

PI: Jason Yip
Funding: National Science Foundation; $112,325
Dates: 2020-2025

Connecting Rural and Small Libraries to Connected Learning

PIs: Katie Davis, Chris Coward, Mega Subramanium, Stacey Wedlake
Funding: Institute of Museum and Library Services; $427,062
Dates: 2020-2023

Co-designing and Investigating New Technologies for Artificial Intelligence Literacy for Children and Families

PI: Jason Yip
Funding: Jacobs Foundation; $169,616
Dates: 2020-2022

Education, Work, and Life during COVID-19: Supporting Families at Home with Technology

Researchers: Jason Yip, Alexis Hiniker
Funding: National Science Foundation; $124,548
Dates: 2020-2021

STEM Education for Developing Inclusive Gender Data Methodologies in Ghana

PIs: Maria Garrido, Araba Sey 
Funding: UW iSchool Strategic Research Fund
Dates: 2020-2021

Reimagining Digital Well-Being with and for Youth

Researcher: Katie Davis
Funding: Susan Crown Exchange award, via Harvard University
Dates: 2020

eSports and Wellness

PIs: Jin Ha Lee, Jason Yip
Funding: Connected Camps, via Pivotal Ventures, in collaboration with UC Irvine; $116,205
Dates: 2020

Empowering Syrian Girls through Culturally Sensitive Mobile Technology and Media Literacy

PI: Karen Fisher
Funding: Google; $60,000
Dates: 2020

Pilot Mobile-Wearable Just-in-Time Adaptive Intervention (JITAI) for Sun Safety Among Children

PI: Jason Yip
Funding: National Institutes of Health, University of Southern California; $34,925
Dates: 2019-2021

NatureCollections: Can a mobile app connect kids with nature?

PI: Katie Davis
Funding: University of Washington CoMotion & Population Health Initiative, $50,000; University of Washington Innovation Fund, $400,000
Dates: Ongoing

KidsTeam UW

PI: Jason Yip
Funding: Various
Dates: Ongoing

Co-Creating Concept Art and Stories for Virtual Reality (VR): Libraries and Museums as Assets for Juvenile Rehabilitation

PI: Jessica Luke
Funding: Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS); $89,109
Dates: 2018-2019

Connected learning at the library: Developing librarians’ capacity to support today’s digital youth

PI: Katie Davis
Funding: Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS); $384,587
Dates: 2015-2019

CAREER: Digital Badges for STEM Education: Designing Networked Learning Environments That Promote High School Students' STEM Identities and Learning Trajectories

PI: Katie Davis
Funding: National Science Foundation (NSF); $740,184
Dates: 2015-2021