Pelle G. Tracey
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Hello! My name is Pelle Tracey. I am an Assistant Professor at the University of Washington Information School. I’m an ethnographer and humanistic social scientist, broadly interested in how automated technologies, AI, and recordkeeping work in practice, particularly when deployed in frontline government, care work, or rental housing contexts.

My current research focuses on the politics and pragmatics of homeless services coordinated entry systems. My work draws from, and contributes to, critical data studies, archival studies, science and technology studies (STS), and computer supported cooperative work (CSCW).

Previously, I was a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Michigan School of Information, where I was advised by Dr. Patricia Garcia. Before that, I was a case manager, a permanent supportive housing program manager, and a short order cook.

I am currently recruiting Ph.D. students for Autumn, 2027.

Here is my CV and Google Scholar. You can reach me at ptracey[at]uw[d0t]edu.

Recent News (See all posts)

9/2025
I have started a new position as an Assistant Professor in the University of Washington Information School. Come say hi!
5/2025
I successfully defended my dissertation, 'The Atomization of Vulnerability: An Ethnographic Investigation of Quantification and Automation in Philadelphia’s Homeless Services Coordinated Entry System.' Many thanks to my wonderful committee :)
11/2024
Ben Zhang and I presented a paper at AoIR, on Waiting and the technopolitics of AI
10/2024
I was invited to a fantastic panel on Ethnographic Stories in Information Science at ASIS&T. Many thanks to Kaitlin Montague for the invitation!
07/2024
New paper accepted at CSCW 2024, 'Intermediation: Algorithmic Prioritization in Practice in Homeless Services'

Publications

Publications

CSCW
Intermediation: Algorithmic Prioritization in Practice in Homeless Services
P. Tracey and P. Garcia
Big Data
& Society
After Automation: Homelessness Prioritization Algorithms and the Future of Care Labor
P. Tracey and P. Garcia
Big Data
& Society
Reparations of the Horse?: Algorithmic Reparations and Overspecialized Remedies.
Recordkeeping, Logistification, and Disruption: A Study of Homeless Services Systems as Infrastructure
P. Tracey, P. Garcia, and R. Punzalan
Reddit as a forum for social service workers. Poster abstract.
P. Tracey and A. Rayburn