Catherine Brooks

Interim Dean
Professor
Founder, Center for Digital Society and Data Studies
Catherine Brooks

Harvill 409

  • Instructional communication
  • Online collaboration
  • Language use & identity

Catherine Brooks (PhD, University of California) is a professor and the iSchool's interim dean. She served as the iSchool's associate director from 2016-2018 and director from 2019-2023 and is currently the interim dean. She was also the founder of the iSchool's research Center for Digital Society and Data Studies.

Her primary research interest focuses on day-to-day language use in social contexts. She is most interested in the instructional or social uses of communication technologies; the varied opportunities for the co-construction of knowledge, relationships and identities; as well as new possibilities for science communication. Her research works across disciplinary boundaries and draws on a variety of academic traditions and methodologies. She teaches courses that focus on social media, information policy issues and human encounters with new technologies. Alongside her scholarly work, she has published in outlets such as Scientific American and Wired.