A message from Dean Raj Dewan
The workforce and workplace of tomorrow is taking shape today, as organizations across the globe navigate massive upheaval spurred by the pandemic, supply chain challenges, and evolving employee demands. The “perks” of ping pong tables and smoothie bars in the Silicon Valley startups have in many cases been replaced by Zoom calls, innovative new ways to collaborate remotely, and the flexibility to live anywhere. The suits and expensive lunches of Wall Street are a fading memory as employees choose family time over long commutes, and companies draw down costly office spaces in favor of a distributed workforce.
Yet as these changes take shape, there is much we still leave unsolved. What inequalities are reinforced as white-collar jobs shift remote while “essential” workers remain underpaid and overworked? How can we harness the creativity and imagination of our teams without the tangible experience of working together in person? As we automate more rote tasks and use technology to optimize our workforce, what ethical implications arise? Has this work automation resulted in greater income inequality?
These questions and so many more are at the heart of our investigation into the Future of Work. Research at the iSchool into these issues has garnered praise in scholastic journals and significant funding from sources like the National Science Foundation. As our scholarly work in this area continues, we are keenly aware that we are also educating our students to work in these new environments. We strive to ensure they are well-prepared for the opportunities and challenges they will find. And we know that people like you are driving change, uncovering new ways to ensure the future is brighter and more equitable for all people, and working in their organizations and communities toward a world where technology is leveraged for the good of society.
I hope the stories you find in this year’s magazine provide some opportunity for reflection, spark a new idea, or inspire new discussions. And as always, I hope you and yours are staying safe and well in this tumultuous time.
With warm regards,
