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Erin Glass
Senior Developer Educator at DigitalOcean, Humanities Advocate
Professional Background
Erin Rose Glass, PhD, is an esteemed researcher, writer, and educator renowned for her impactful contributions in the realms of open source software, digital infrastructure, educational technology (edtech), and ethics in technology. Her current role as a Senior Developer Educator at DigitalOcean puts her at the forefront of shaping educational resources and materials that empower individuals to embrace open source software development. With a deep-seated commitment to fostering knowledge and skills in the tech community, Erin is dedicated to making high-quality educational materials accessible to all.
Prior to her present role at DigitalOcean, Erin held significant positions within academia that fortified her expertise in digital scholarship and pedagogical innovation. As the Digital Scholarship Librarian at UC San Diego, she established and directed KNIT, a non-commercial digital commons that has grown to serve over 2,400 users from UC San Diego, the San Diego Community College District, and San Diego State University. This project illustrates Erin's dedication to building collaborative, user-centric tools for education and research.
Throughout her tenure at UC San Diego, Erin co-organized the Cultured Data Symposium with Robert Twomey, a pivotal conference that examines the interplay between culture and data. She also played an instrumental role in the bi-annual Association of Research Libraries Digital Scholarship Institute, teaching and showcasing the latest in digital scholarship practices. Furthermore, her expertise was sought after in two multimillion-dollar Mellon grant projects aimed at enhancing the educational experience of community college transfer students, serving as a digital pedagogy consultant.
Erin is not just an educator but a pioneer in researching the intersections of higher education and technology. As a co-founder of the Ethical EdTech wiki project, she is actively involved in advancing discussions around the need for ethical and inclusive technologies in teaching and learning environments. Her commitment to fostering equitable and thoughtful approaches to educational technology is a testament to her belief in the arts and humanities as essential drivers for shaping our digital future.
Education and Achievements
Erin began her academic journey earning a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from the prestigious University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she developed a strong foundation in critical thinking and analytical skills. She further advanced her academic credentials by obtaining a PhD in English from The Graduate Center at the City University of New York (CUNY). Her academic background not only underscores her literary and rhetorical expertise but also emphasizes her passion for the innovative integration of the humanities with technology.
Among her notable recognitions, Erin received the 2018 Emerging Open Scholarship Award from the Canadian Social Knowledge Institute for her groundbreaking #SocialDiss project. Additionally, her role as the Honorary Wikipedian in Residence at the University of Victoria during 2019-2020 highlights her dedication to open knowledge and democratized education.
Notable Projects
Erin has made significant contributions to a variety of projects that embody her commitment to improving educational practices and enhancing community engagement. One such project is Social Paper, a platform designed to create networking opportunities for student writers to connect and provide feedback to one another, developed with essential support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. This initiative showcases her dedication to harnessing technology to empower students and facilitate collaborative learning.
Furthermore, her keynote address on education, technology, and the notion of agency, presented at !!Con West 2020, reflects her thought leadership in the field. The accompanying materials can be found on her personal site, where visitors can explore her extensive work and insights around the digital practices that intersect with education.
Erin’s contributions to advancing the digital landscape in education and her unwavering commitment to fostering open and equitable technological practices make her a respected figure among her peers. Through her innovative work, she continues to inspire others to explore the transformative potential of technology in learning environments.
