University of Washington Research Team

Michael Crandall is a Senior Lecturer in the iSchool, and current chair of the Masters of Science in Information Management program. Prior to coming to the University of Washington, he was technology manager for the US Library program of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Prior to the foundation, Mike worked on search technology and knowledge organization for the intranet at Microsoft (MSWeb) and on information architecture and online library services at Boeing. He has served on the Dublin Core Metadata Board of Trustees since its inception in 2001, and is active in ASIS&T. He is interested in public access computing, ICT in developing countries, metadata and knowledge organization, social dimensions of knowledge transfer and large scale information systems.

Samantha Becker is the Research Project Manager for U.S. IMPACT, and was co-author of "Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S." Samantha has a background in public policy evaluation and was a public librarian in Central Vermont. She currently manages and heads research on several library- and public technology-related projects, including the IMLS Digitally Inclusive Communities initiative,and the Gates Foundation Edge Public Access Technology Benchmarks initiative. Her research interests focus on public access technology, evaluation of public technology services, and how adults gain the skills necessary to use information and communication technology. Samantha holds master’s degrees in Library and Information Science and Public Administration from the University of Washington.

Rebecca Blakewood is the Research Analyst for U.S. IMPACT. She has a varied background in information architecture, library digitization, and project management as well as nonprofit program development and capacity building. Through all that, she has been motivated by an interest in how organizations can collect and use data on an appropriate scale to guide strategic decisions and continuous improvement. She holds master’s degrees in Library and Information Science and Public Administration from the University of Washington.

Elly Krumwiede is a Research Assistant for U.S. IMPACT. In addition to pursuing a master's degree in Library and Information Science at the iSchool, Elly is studying International Development and Nonprofit Management at the Evans School of Public Affairs. Elly previously worked as a Research Assistant on the Framework for Digitally Inclusive Communities and has contributed to the Global Impact Study. She is interested in public access computing, ICT in developing countries and public-private partnerships, and recently completed an internship with the Association for Progressive Communications in Johannesburg, South Africa. Prior to starting graduate school, Elly worked in corporate communications and public relations in Chicago.

Stacey Wedlake is a Research Assistant for U.S. IMPACT. She is a concurrent master student in the Library and Information Science and Public Administration programs at the University of Washington. She became interested in digital inclusion while a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mongolia; she assisted local public computing centers by teaching staff and community members about Internet safety, productivity software, and web searching. Upon returning to the states, she developed technology curriculum and taught computer classes for adults in Seattle at the YWCA and Seattle Central Community College.

Many thanks to all the previous students who have enriched our work through assistanceships, internships, independent studies, and degree projects.