Vision for The Future

CDIS plays a pivotal role in how computers, data, and information interact with society and make a better future for Wisconsin. By bringing CDIS departments together and enabling education and collaboration across campus, we are able to support advances in medicine, help policy makers use data more wisely, combat climate change and so much more.

At the Intersection of Technology, Data and Humanity

CDIS works and teaches at the intersection of technology, data and people, creating pathways to engage diverse ideas and enable innovative curricula and research. Our highly sought after students and acclaimed research faculty follow diverse pathways that enable their success.

Skills in Demand

CDIS trains students to love challenges and thrive on change. Our graduates think outside the box and are working towards solutions in every field from medicine to agriculture to hospitality and beyond. All students at UW have an opportunity to study in CDIS and develop the skills they need for today's complex jobs.

Economic Impact

The impact of CDIS is seen across our regional economy, from seeding start-ups to collaborating with companies like Google and Microsoft to educating tomorrow’s workforce. Technology is foundational to all major industries that drive Wisconsin’s economy, and CDIS talent, discoveries and ideas support their success.

Industry and Education Convergence

Industry partnerships allow CDIS to support economic development and assure that our students are well prepared for today’s jobs. Our industry partnerships help inform future CDIS curriculum and areas of study, and ensure cross-fertilization of ideas between researchers and the business sector.

Current Facilities Challenges

“It's hard to build community when we never see each other." CDIS faculty and students are spread across campus in three separate buildings, all of which are outdated and overcrowded. To effectively educate, research and collaborate, we need more space, modern classrooms, flexible labs, and inclusive areas where all of campus feels welcome.

Building Opportunity

From state-of-the-art lab spaces to classroom spaces designed for increased connectivity, the new CDIS building will reshape the way ideas and academics come together. The building will enable unique collaborative learning opportunities and experiences for students, faculty and industry in our region.

Proven Impact: COVID-19 Research Group

CDIS research is impacting every resident of Wisconsin. Our researchers have been at the center of the pandemic response from the start. They collaborated with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to create the data dashboards that we’ve been focused on throughout the pandemic. And they have worked on the logistics of vaccine distribution so we could all get them as efficiently and equitably as possible.