Washington, D.C. – Hollie Russon Gilman, Ph.D. has been awarded this year’s Chris Campbell Award for Excellence in Information Technology and Digital Mobilization, Environmental Working Group announced today.
Dr. Gilman is currently a civic innovation fellow for the Open Technology Institute at the New America Foundation, applying innovative approaches and technologies to engage citizens in democratic governance and decision-making. She is also a fellow at New York University’s Governance Lab and the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
The Environmental Working Group established the award in 2013 to mark EWG’s 20th anniversary and to honor its vice president for information technology, Chris Campbell, for his two decades of contributions to the public good.
In 20 years at EWG Campbell has pioneered creative use of technology to provide the public with valuable information and easy-to-navigate databases and guides on everything from federal farm subsidies to pesticide residues on produce. These data-driven projects help taxpayers hold the government accountable for failed policies, inspire consumers to change their shopping habits and influence companies to take actions that improve the marketplace.
“Dr. Gilman is this year’s recipient because she exemplifies Chris’ spirit for using technology for social change and shown true innovation and dedication to the use of technology,” said EWG Executive Director Heather White at a reception honoring Dr. Gilman.
Dr. Gilman previously served as the Open Government and Innovation Advisor at the White House, focusing on participatory budgeting that allows citizens to be actively involved in the process. She also worked on the Open Society Foundations Transparency and Accountability Initiative and Harvard University’s Gettysburg Project: Understanding and Revitalizing Civic Engagement.
She holds Ph.D. and M.A. degrees from the Department of Government at Harvard University, where she conducted the first academic study of participatory budgeting in the United States and made it her dissertation topic.
“I am thrilled and honored to receive this award recognizing and celebrating Chris’s contributions in technology,” said Dr. Gilman. “EWG continues to be on the forefront of using digital tools to engage citizens in understanding the critical decisions that impact their daily lives.”
The first recipient of the Chris Campbell award was Michael Silberman of the Digital Mobilisation Lab at Greenpeace. The lab works with allies in 42 countries to implement creative new means of communicating, organizing and fundraising online.
To nominate a candidate for next year’s Chris Campbell Award, please contact Helen Lucey at (202) 667-6982 or by email: [email protected].