Rate My Professor Martin Wolske

Wolske's research specializations encompass community informatics, engaged scholarship in the information sciences, critical and culturally sustaining pedagogies in active learning environments, and critical constructivist approaches to sociotechnical information systems. He advocates for a person-centered orientation to technology, utilizing problem-posing education, participatory research, and co-design to advance digital inclusion, equity, and local social justice through community technology platforms. As a principal investigator, he has secured grants from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, American Library Association, and Institute of Museum and Library Services. Key publications include his authored books A Person-Centered Guide to Demystifying Technology (2020) and second edition (2023, Windsor & Downs Press, Illinois Open Publishing Network); “Critical Questions for Community Informatics in Practice” (2016, co-authored with C. Rhinesmith, Journal of Community Informatics); “A Radical Reconsideration of Digital Literacy” (2016, Information for Social Change); and “Community Informatics Studio: Designing Experiential Learning to Support Teaching, Research, and Practice” (2014, co-authored with C. Rhinesmith and B. Kumar, Journal of Education in Library and Information Science). His contributions extend to editorial roles on the Journal of Community Informatics board since 2020 and committee service, including the Coordinating Council for Public Engagement at UIUC since 2022 and program committees for Community Informatics Research Network conferences. Wolske has received the University of Illinois Campus Award for Excellence in Public Engagement (2013), iSchool Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award (2017), Library Journal Teacher of the Year Award (2011), and regular inclusion on the List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students.