We are pleased to announce that the iSchool Inclusion Institute (i3), previously hosted by the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Computing and Information, will now be hosted by the School of Information at the University of Texas at Austin. Funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, i3 is a national undergraduate research and leadership development program that prepares students from underrepresented populations for graduate study and careers in the information sciences.
iSchool Inclusion Institute (i3)
Since its launch in 2011, more than 200 scholars have graduated from the i3 program with hands-on research and project management experience, professional skills, and peer-reviewed publications.
iSchool Inclusion Institute (i3)
Since its launch in 2011, more than 200 scholars have graduated from the i3 program with hands-on research and project management experience, professional skills, and peer-reviewed publications.Each year 25 students from a variety of majors and institutions across the country are invited to become i3 Scholars. The program includes a funded 20-month immersive, hybrid experience that includes two summer institutes, a yearlong research project, and participation in several conferences. Throughout the course of the program, students undergo professional development training (such as workshops, interview practice, 1-1 mentorship, and networking experiences) that are tailored to each individual scholar’s needs. Since its launch in 2011, more than 200 scholars have graduated from the i3 program with hands-on research and project management experience, professional skills, and peer-reviewed publications.
Dr. Kayla Booth
“On paper, we're called the ‘i3 program,’” said Dr. Kayla Booth, PI & Director of the i3 Program, “but really i3 is so much more than that. Over the last 10+ years, i3 has blossomed into an incredible community as we collectively imagine and build a brighter, more equitable future together.”
“I am looking forward to the impact i3 will have on UT Austin and on the field of information more broadly,” said Eric T. Meyer, Dean of the iSchool. “We are grateful to the University of Pittsburgh for developing such an innovative program and are honored to take on stewardship of i3. I am confident that the program will thrive in Austin, and personally look forward to welcoming the next cohort of i3 Scholars.”
In addition to directing the i3 program here at the iSchool, Dr. Booth also joined the faculty as an Assistant Professor of Instruction and began teaching courses in the undergraduate Informatics program in Spring 2022. As an educator, Dr. Booth collaboratively builds courses and experiences that empower students to apply human-centered approaches to data, information, and technology in pursuit of a more equitable world in ways that align with their skills, interests, and passions. Her research interests include the design and evaluation of tech-related health and education interventions to support and empower marginalized youth populations, and her work lives at the intersection of social and social justice informatics, health informatics, and user experience (UX).
“Joining the iSchool, where so many people are doing incredible work in pursuit of a similar vision, really provides endless opportunities to collaborate, build meaningful relationships, and unite our efforts. I'm thrilled we get to work together as we build a home to welcome new generations of i3 Scholars and a hub for our incredible i3 Alumni to engage and return to year after year,” Dr. Booth said.
To learn more about the i3 program, visit www.i3-inclusion.org.