University of Iowa's next 'cluster hire' will be in technology

A new University of Iowa initiative will hire eight new faculty members to bridge the areas of art and technology.

The UI's new Public Digital Arts Initiative will position the university at the "forefront of emerging fields," officials said. It's the latest implementation of the university's cluster-hire initiative, a multi-year plan to hire faculty in interdisciplinary groups that build on UI strengths and achieve distinction in target areas.

This latest cluster hire will focus on digital arts and technology. The new faculty will be housed in various departments within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

UI Provost Barry Butler said he's pleased with this addition to the already existing set of faculty clusters, as it builds on university strengths.