“Public Interest Technology (PIT) adopts best practices in human-centered design, product development, process re-engineering, and data science to solve public problems in an inclusive, iterative manner—continuously learning, improving, and aiming to deliver better outcomes to the public. These tools and approaches to creative problem solving when combined with policy expertise and built with the communities they serve, are critical to identifying interventions that work, truly meet users’ needs, and advance the public good.” – New America –

Penn State University became a member of the Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN) in Spring 2021. As a land grant institution with presence across the state through its 24 campuses, Penn State applies technology, law, and policy expertise to advance public interest and promote public good across the Commonwealth, nationally and globally. The Law, Policy and Engineering (LPE) initiative leads Penn State’s participation in the network, and Prof. Sandra Allain is Penn State’s designee.

Students and faculty across the Commonwealth interested in sharing PIT related work, collaborating with PIT member institutions or being involved in the network are invited to join the Penn State PIT Alliance. For more information and to sign up follow this PIT-UN link.