WASHINGTON (March 11, 2019) – Today, Howard University announces its membership in the Public Interest Technology Universities Network, a group of colleges and universities committed to educating students to apply technical understanding and practice to questions of individual rights, justice, social welfare and the public good. Controlled by New America, in coordination with the Ford Foundation, the Public Interest Technology network challenges institutions to establish and define a field of public interest technology within academia. Thefirst-of-its-kind initiative connects 21 colleges and universities, employers and funders to grow a new generation of technologists and technologically literate problem-solvers who can address the nation’s most pressing challenges in decades to come. Over the next 12-18 months, the University will create a collaborative public interest technology institute in addition to organizing workshops and symposia. 

“Howard University is a research-intensive institution with programs spanning the major STEM disciplines, social sciences, and the humanities. Faculty expertise matches the variety in disciplines and there is active cross-disciplinary collaborative work between disciplines across the university,” says Moses Garuba, Ph.D., associate dean for academic affairs and professor of computer science within the College of Engineering and Architecture. Garuba serves as the Howard University representative for the Public Interest Technology University Network.

New America defines public interest technology as a new area of inquiry, education and practice, which higher education institutions are uniquely positioned to cultivate. The Public Interest Technology Institute will serve as hub for creating and disseminating new knowledge pertaining to technologies and their associated ethical and social impact in underserved communities. The institute is being planned to function as the center for coordinating efforts of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) faculty and students in public interest technology thinking solutions. Workshops and symposia will explore the social and ethical limitations of technological innovation, with an importance on technological policies and regulations being developed to aid lawmakers in creating safe innovation to benefit society. 

Membership in the Public Interest Technology University Network is open to accredited U.S.-based institutions of higher learning that commit to regularly reporting on their activities to advance the study of public interest technology. An open enrollment period is held from September to December of each year. For more information on the Public Interest Technology University Network, including specific initiatives at Howard University, visit https://www.newamerica.org/public-interest-technology/.

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About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States.  For more information on Howard University visit www.howard.edu.