PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS

The Global Information Internship Program (GIIP) is an innovative, student-run "digital service learning" program at UCSC, dedicated to creating a new generation of "info activists," committed to advancing social justice, democratizing globalization, and building social entrepreneurship.  Global Information and Social Enterprise Studies (GISES) is GIIP’s curricular counterpart.  Both programs encourage students to work in solidarity with local and global communities to overcome the "digital divide" which excludes the world's majority from enjoying the benefits of the information revolution GIIP interns research and undertake internships with local, national and international civil society and community groups. When placements develop successfully, GIIP forms a partnership with the host organization. Partnerships are long-term commitments between GIIP and a host organization in which both partners collaborate in designing an info-strategy for the organization.  GISES’ core courses synthesize project-based analysis with information technologies in order to democratize globalization, deepen social justice, reduce poverty, transition to a sustainable world, and support movements for social equality. Detailed information about GIIP may be found at http://giip.ucsc.edu/.

The UC Atlas of Global Inequality, is an online teaching resource that provides information and tools to foster student and researcher exploration of global change and its effects on social structures and relations. Using the internet, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology and new graphical capabilities of digital media to enhance learning in Geography, Sociology, Economics, Health, Technology and Environmental Studies, the Atlas integrates data, maps, and graphs to create an interactive website for accessing and analyzing information addressing global change and inequality. For more information, see the web site of the Atlas at http://ucatlas.ucsc.edu/