Dr. Karine Nahon (Barzilai-Nahon) is an associate professor at the University of Washington iSchool, former director of the Center for Information & Society, adjunct faculty at the Department of Communication, and affiliated faculty at the Center for Communication and Civic Engagement. Her research interests lie in information politics and policy, and in the social aspects of information technology, where she has developed Network Gatekeeping Theory and Comprehensive Digital Divide/s framework. She also serves as an expert in decision-making forums (nationally and internationally) that relate to internet and IT policy, where she represents Israel on the United Nations Committee for Science and Technology.

Dr. W. Lance Bennett is Ruddick C. Lawrence Professor of Communication, and Professor of Political Science at the University of Washington. He is also founder and director of the Center for Communication and Civic Engagement, dedicated to understanding how communication processes and technologies can enhance citizen engagement with social life, politics, and global affairs. He has lectured internationally on the importance of media and information systems in civic life. His current research interests include: press-government relations and the quality of public information, strategic communication campaigns, communication and the organization of social movements, transnational activism, and digital media and youth civic engagement.

Jeff Hemsley is a doctoral student at the University of Washington iSchool, where he studies networked information diffusion. He is particularly interested in identifying factors that influence emergent structures within networks. He has earned degrees in Economics (summa cum-laude), with an emphasis in statistics, and Mathematics from Cal State East Bay. Jeff has also collected over 15 years of professional experience in the software industry as a Software Test Engineer and QA Manager.

Muzammil M. Hussain is a doctoral student at the University of Washington’s Department of Communication, where his work has examined the relationships between civic information and civic engagement, and information infrastructure and social organization. His other research engagements include: the Civic Learning Online project, the project on Information Technology and Political Islam, and the World Information Access project.

Shawn T. Walker is a doctoral student at the University of Washington iSchool, where he studies digital government and public engagement. He is particularly interested in how digital government can be used to increase citizen understanding and participation in government. He has also earned degrees in International Studies, and Liberal Studies, with a focus on public policy and technology, from Northern Kentucky University.