The Digital Civics Lab investigates how computational technologies and practices affect the structure and experience of politics and public life. We are particularly interested in the role of design in shaping contemporary civics and the potentials of digital media to enable new forms of governance, activism, and advocacy. Our approach is both critical and appreciative, with an emphasis on making as a mode of humanistic inquiry.
Through the Digital Civics Lab, we support classroom and project-based learning. We do this by building infrastructures and communities.
For Fall 2016, our primary initiative is the the Digital Civics Community of Practice, which brings together students, faculty, and staff for collaborative learning, through themed workshops and events. Fall 2016 events include:
September 8 (3:00-4:30pm): DILAC Kick-Off
See the DILAC lab and its resources, hear program plans from the Digital Civics Lab and Digital Humanities Labs, discuss support needs and opportunities for the 2016-2017 academic year.
September 22 (3:00-4:30pm): What Makes A "Digital Civics" Project?
Share and discuss examples of "digital civics" projects and participate in a short exercise to identify key project components.
September 28 (Noon-1:30pm): Open Studio
Share projects in-progress, contribute to collaborative learning through critique, receive conceptual, technical, and design feedback.
October 12 (Noon-1:30pm): Assessing Learning and Impact in Digital Civics Projects
Share and discuss methods for assessing learning and impact in "digital civics" projects.
October 19 (Noon-1:30pm): Open Studio
Share projects in-progress, contribute to collaborative learning through critique, receive conceptual, technical, and design feedback.
November 17 (3:00-4:30pm): Digital Civics and Smart Cities: Issues and Possibilities
Share and discuss experiences working on smart cities projects, and learn about project opportunities that align with major Georgia Tech and City of Atlanta smart cities initatives.
November 30 (Noon-1:30pm): Open Studio
Share projects in-progress, contribute to collaborative learning through critique, receive conceptual, technical, and design feedback.
In addition, the Digital Civics Lab, in conjunction with the Digital Humanities Lab, provides consultations for project development, including assistance working with government and civil society organizations, accessing datasets, software and hardware recommendations, learning and engagement assessment recommendations, and assistance with project documentation and dissemination.