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The School of Information's stated mission is,
"We create and share knowledge so that people will use information — with technology — to build a better world."
Each year, the School of Information chooses a theme to unite students across degree programs, faculty, and staff in addressing a social issue.
The purpose of a theme year is multifaceted:
Provide additional resources and depth for students’ course projects and self-initiated endeavors
Foster interdisciplinary dialogue and build community among students, faculty and staff
Align with UMSI's mission by using an information lens to tackle issues of worldwide concern, guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
We recognize that information science is a versatile discipline, capable of confronting some of the most pressing challenges that face our local and global communities — from water conservation to the future of work.
Each UMSI theme year features special events, theme courses, a theme-specific category at the annual Exposition and funding for students who pursue theme-related projects. UMSI partners with organizations and subject matter experts to promote shared awareness and action.
Contact the Engaged Learning Office at umsi.theme.year@umich.edu with specific questions.
2024 - 2025 | The Future of Work
2024 - 2025 | The Future of Work
This year’s theme, “future of work,” embodies UMSI’s commitment to exploring the intersection of technology and society in the rapidly evolving landscape of the modern workplace.
Technological advancements, remote work culture and global trends are shaping the nature of employment and redefining the concept of work itself. From the benefits of increased flexibility and skill development to the complexities of automation and job displacement, the “future of work” theme promises to ignite important discussions and inspire meaningful action.
Each UMSI theme year features special events, theme courses, a theme-specific category at the annual Exposition and funding for students who pursue theme-related projects. UMSI partners with organizations and subject matter experts to promote shared awareness and action.
Select courses will have a “future of work” theme that will manifest through data sets, client-based course projects or UX design challenges.
SI 500 - Problem-Solving with People, Information, and Technology
SI 616 - Advanced Topics in Graphic Design and Communication
Theme Year's Connection to Global Sustainable Development
Announced in 2015, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 goals that are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
The SDGs are a truly global effort to improve life for ever inhabitant of our planet.
The 2024 - 2025 UMSI Theme Year focuses on the Future of Work, directly contributing to global efforts to understand and shape the evolving landscape of employment. By exploring global trends within our local context, UMSI and its partners can make meaningful and sustainable contributions across Michigan.
Understanding the future of work in our local context allows us to address challenges and opportunities specific to our community, while also aligning with broader global objectives. This theme year aims to explore the intersection of technology and society, fostering innovative solutions and informed discussions that will shape the future workforce.
#4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
4.3 By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university
4.4 By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship
#5 - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
5.4 Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate
5.b Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women
#8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
8.2 Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors
8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services
8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value
8.6 By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training
8.8 Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment
#9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
9c Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020
#12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
12.6 Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle
The Sustainable Development Goals remind us that everything is connected. Across the projects pages on this website, you'll see what SDGs that project addresses.
To learn more about the 2024 - 2025 theme year's goals, visit the United Nations SDG homepage.
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