WHAT IS PIT?
Public interest technology (PIT) is “the study and application of technology expertise to advance the public interest/generate public benefits/promote the public good.”
THE ISSUE
Social inequalities in the accessibility to tech tools and knowledge of technology. These include financial constraints, discrimination and exclusion in tech fields, and an overall disassociation of using technology to address sociological issues.
WHAT IS PIT-UN?
The Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN) is an initiative of New America, a public-policy think-tank. PIT-UN is a network of universities that make contributions to the field of public interest technology by growing a community of “civic-minded technologists”. The organization provides funding to projects proposed by its members that will contribute to the PIT field.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN)
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UCSC Everett Program
A need to showcase the Everett teaching model and tools to develop and contribute to the field of public interest technology
Create a website that showcases the Everett Program's methodologies, tools, experiences, case studies, and resources
MEET THE FELLOWS
JOSS BORYS
Head of Website Development
Joss (she/her) is a 3rd year student majoring in Sociology with a concentration in GISES.
MILO SANTAMARIA
Head of Content Curation
Milo (they / them) is a 4th year transfer student majoring in sociology with a concentration in GISES.
SUZUKA SHINOHARA
Head of Graphic Design
Suzuka (she/her) is a 4th year student majoring in environmental studies with a minor in GISES
OUR SOLUTION
TECH TOOLS USED
FIGMA, ADOBE XD, WORDPRESS, ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR , CANVA
The team designed and built a WordPress site in order to display and share the Everett Program's PIT resources. With our Everett Toolkit project, we hope to contribute to the growing field of public interest technology that the PIT-UN partnership has built thus far.
The TOOLKIT is a collection of the program’s unique approaches and teaching techniques.
FACULTY AND STUDENT STORIES provide case studies of our teaching techniques in practice, and demonstrate the obstacles students face and overcome when developing and implementing PIT-based projects.
PROJECT DELIVERABLES
GRAPHIC DESIGN
WEB BUILDING
STORY + CONTENT COLLECTION
LESSONS LEARNED
HANDS ON TECH
Learned to use Figma, Adobe XD, Wordpress
Discovered that learning difficult skills is possible if approached with curiosity and confidence.
HEADS ON JUSTICE
Navigating dynamics between students and partner
Gained insight into Everett theory of change.
HEARTS ON CHANGE
Improved confidence and self-advocacy skills
Learned to understand and respect our own capacity.
OUR FINAL PROJECT PRACTICUM
Everett Toolkit PIT UN Final Practicum.pdf