Research

Our research examines many aspects of the social and cultural transitions underway at present around the globe, but we have a particular focus on technological change and three topics: Social Collaboration and Dynamic Communities; Global Cultures in Transition; and Technology in Education. We are currently working on expanding our research initiative portfolio to include additional research initiatives on Social Computing and Trust, Reliability, and Information Security Online.

Social Collaboration and Dynamic Communities

Social Collaboration and Dynamic Communities

The structure of communities and the myriad patterns of human engagement that comprise societies have always been tied fundamentally to technology. What we have long recognized as modern society (or “post-modern” in many interpretations) is inextricably connected to the technologies of the industrial revolution and their immediate successors.

Global Cultures in Transition

Global Cultures in Transition

Global Cultures in Transition is a research initiative affiliated with the Center for Information Technology and Society at UCSB. Rather than assume that the globalization of information technologies “flattens” or equalizes socio-economic relations around the world, researchers in this initiative explore the differences and disparities across various societies and cultures.

Technology in Education

Technology in Education

Technology has long played a role in education. However, contrary to expectations, the adoption of technology in almost all areas of education has been surprisingly slow.