About Us

The Department of Digital Humanities and Societal Systems (D-HSS) has been created to underscore IIIT-Bangalore’s continued focus on the interdependent and mutually shaping nature of digital technologies and societies. The department seeks to engage with interdisciplinary approaches derived from the arts, humanities, social sciences and computing.

It embraces an increasing global appreciation of the mutual influence of societal systems and technological choices in shaping policymaking and design practices. Academic offerings and research at the department build upon IIIT-B’s pioneering efforts in Information and Communications Technologies and Development (ICTD) over the past two decades to address the emerging demands of the public, private and voluntary sectors, and needs of marginal social groups.

Research at the department is aligned with its academic vision of contributing to an ethical, responsible and sustainable digital ecosystem in India and the Global South through partnerships with the Institute’s centres in the area of public policy (Centre for IT and Public Policy, CITAPP), accessibility (Centre for Accessibility in the Global South, CAGS), public health (E-Health Research Centre, EHRC), ethical AI/IoT (Centre for Internet of Ethical Things, CIET) and the upcoming centres on open societal systems and DPI.