Home Room
2:40 PM
Presenters: Lauren Chambers, PhD Student, School of Information
Public Interest Technology (PIT) clinics are a growing model of experiential technical education that empower students to engage directly with real-world data and technology challenges in service of the public interest. By centering student agency, ethical reflexivity, and collaboration with civil society partners, PIT clinics equip students to navigate complex sociotechnical landscapes while prioritizing meaningful social impact. This presentation explores PIT clinics as liberatory learning spaces where, like in legal clinics, students develop professional and ethical judgment and contribute to practical initiatives beyond the university. Drawing on case studies from multiple institutions, we highlight strategies for designing inclusive, student-oriented clinical experiences.