I am running for The Information Architecture Institute Director of Programming. Below is my statement of intent.
I believe in information architecture.
I believe in information architecture as a way of thinking about complex problems to facilitate understanding. I believe in information architecture as a way for practitioners to talk about the way we make meaning with the ways we choose to arrange information, so that we can make better things; so that we can be thoughtful about the implications of the things we make, so we can be intentional about unknitting the harmful frameworks we’ve inherited, so we can create things for the future that consider our needs as humans.
I have accepted this nomination for Director of Programming because I want to continue the work the Institute does to provide opportunities for us to learn from each other, to promote rigor and excellence within our practice, and to share the value of information architecture with others. I’ll think strategically about IAI programming as information architecture that shapes the possible futures for our practice, and work to steward these channels for our practice’s growth so that they further the IAI’s mission to improve how people learn, practice and teach information architecture.
The future of the IAI is anything but guaranteed. The Institute has been struggling financially, and the current board has worked hard to reduce expenses, and has thoughtfully framed their decisions through the lens of financial risk in order to keep the institute afloat. If elected, I will work to make sure equal weight is given to the non-financial implications of our decisions: the safety of our community, trust of our members, and the integrity of our practice.