Concentration Details

Critical Information Policy Studies

The Critical Information Policy Studies (CIPS) concentration educates a new type of professional specifically trained in critical and applied approaches to the study of information practice in policy arenas spanning the public and private sectors. Digital information environments mediate significant aspects of social, economic, and political interactions and there is a demand for professionals with the expertise and skills to make sense of and attenuate their impacts through the development and application of policy. 

CIPS professionals identify, critically describe, and interpret all aspects of the information lifecycle across a range of professional and institutional contexts. They work within the public and private sectors to ensure the creation of beneficial policies, programs, and strategies. They grapple with myriad digital policy issues that include digital divides, digital inclusion and data justice; data protection, privacy, surveillance and cyber security; telecommunication policy, intellectual property, open data, open government; AI, algorithms and data discrimination; tech regulation and consumer rights. Similarly, they critically investigate the development, design, use and social and policy consequences of an array of emerging technologies on which the globalizing information society increasingly relies (e.g., body scanners, cloud computing, biometrics, social networking). 

CIPS Concentration Coordinator: Evan Light

CIPS Concentration Features

  • Identify the formative role of information practices in policy trends and controversies across professional fields and disciplinary fields
  • Compare and contrast different approaches to the development and application of policy at the institutional, local, domestic and international levels
  • Apply practical skills and theoretical knowledge in the research, development and application of policy frameworks in the public and private domains
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the relationship between institutional power and different types of policy mechanisms developed and employed in their arenas of professional or scholarly practice
  • Intervene in real-world policy processes and learn skills integral to the design of information policy for the future

CIPS Graduates: Where are they now?

Academic Concentration Requirements

MI students enrolled in 2025 and later

Some courses on this list may not be offered each year—please check posted course schedules for availability. Courses within other MI concentrations or degree programs outside of the FOI may also be suitable electives for CIPS students. The CIPS Coordinator can advise students about taking courses outside of the Faculty. The planned curricular structure of completing the 4 required courses in the first year of the program is designed to support all three concentration options. For students in the coursework option, completing the 4 required courses in the first year will enable them to take advanced electives in policy related areas and specialize in areas best suited to their interests. For students in the thesis option, the structure is well suited to support the thesis process and having completed a research methods course in their first year puts them on track for timely completion of their thesis. For students in the co-op option, having completed the 4 required courses will provide them the grounding necessary to have productive co-op experiences in the policy area. 

Of the following elective courses, INF2151H: Indigenous Data Governance Foundations, INF2251H Policy Intervention Studio, and INF2254H Speculative Policy Design have scheduling restrictions for the Winter Term given the pre-requisite (INF2181H) associated with them. 

INF1003H Information Systems, Services and Design 0.5 Credits

INF1230H Management: Theory and Practice 0.5 Credits

INF1321H Representing, Documenting, and Accessing the Cultural Record 0.5 Credits

INF1322H Communities and Values 0.5 Credits

INF1323H The Information Experience 0.5 Credits

INF1324H Critical Infrastructures 0.5 Credits

INF1330H Archives Concepts and Issues 0.5 Credits

INF1340H Programming for Data Science 0.5 Credits

INF1344H Introduction to Statistics for Data Science 0.5 Credits

INF1602H Fundamentals of User Experience 0.5 Credits

INF2040H Project Management 0.5 Credits

INF2243H Histories of Information Technologies 0.5 Credits

INF2151H Indigenous Data Governance Foundations 0.5 Credits

INF2228H The Future of Things: Digitization and Remediation 0.5 Credits

INF2315H Digital Labour 0.5 Credits

INF2317H Privacy Studies 0.5 Credits

INF2321H Digital Culture 0.5 Credits

INF2252H Critical Approaches to Information and Ownership 0.5 Credits

INF2253H Current Issues in Information Policy 0.5 Credits

INF2254H Speculative Policy Design 0.5 Credits

INF2251H Policy Intervention Studio 0.5 Credits

INF2124H Surveillance and Identity 0.5 Credits

INF2125H Developing a Diversity Mindset in the Information Professions 0.5 Credits

INF2155H The Public Library in the Community: Developing a Critical Practice 0.5 Credits

INF2241H Critical Making: Information Studies, Social Values, and Physical Computing 0.5 Credits

INF2250H Copyright for Information Professionals 0.5 Credits

INF2305H Special Topics in Information Studies: The Joy of Information 0.5 Credits

INF2320H Remix Culture 0.5 Credits

INF2331H The Future of the Book 0.5 Credits

INF2215H Data-driven Policymaking 0.5 Credits

MSL2340H Issues in Cultural Policy and Contemporary Culture 0.5 Credits

MI students enrolled in 2024 and later

MI students enrolled in 2023 and earlier

Year 1 required courses

While it is not obligatory to complete all Year 1 required courses in Year 1, it is recommended because these courses provide foundational knowledge. For students considering the Co-op option, all Year 1 required courses should be completed in Year 1.

INF1001H Introduction to Critical Information Policy Studies 0.5 Credits

INF2240H Political Economy of Information Policy 0.5 Credits

INF1005H Information Workshops I (2025-2026) 0.25 Credits

INF1006H Information Workshops II (2025-2026) 0.25 Credits

INF2181H Public Policy Foundations 0.5 Credits

INF2242H Information Policy Research Methods 0.5 Credits

INF2243H Histories of Information Technologies 0.5 Credits

Year 2 required courses

If all required courses are completed in Year 1, students may complete their remaining credit requirements by taking a combination of:

Elective courses

Co-op option

Thesis option

Collaborative Specialization

INF2124H Surveillance and Identity 0.5 Credits

INF2125H Developing a Diversity Mindset in the Information Professions 0.5 Credits

INF2155H The Public Library in the Community: Developing a Critical Practice 0.5 Credits

INF2221H Digital Divides and Information Professionals: Developing a Critical Practice 0.5 Credits

INF2241H Critical Making: Information Studies, Social Values, and Physical Computing 0.5 Credits

INF2305H Special Topics in Information Studies: The Joy of Information 0.5 Credits

INF2320H Remix Culture 0.5 Credits

INF2331H The Future of the Book 0.5 Credits

Work Integrated Learning for CIPS Students

The Faculty of Information offers a variety of work-integrated learning including the MI Co-op option and practicum courses. The Careers Services team helps students find suitable placements.

MI Co-op option

MI practicum

Who hires CIPS graduates?

CIPS alumni work in a wide range of organizations and industries within the public and private sectors to ensure the creation of beneficial policies, programs, and strategies. They grapple with issues that include the digital divide, open data, open government, data protection, privacy, intellectual property, surveillance, cyber security, telecommunication policy, copyright, and consumer rights.

Official symbols of the Government of Canada

Professional Networks

Many students, alumni and faculty are members of key CIPS professional associations. Our strong ties with these organizations, forged over many years, keep the Faculty of Information abreast of the latest CIPS trends. In addition, many instructors are active CIPS professionals. CIPS professional associations include: