The National Digital Inclusion Alliance launches broadband research database

Guest author: Angela Siefer, Executive Director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA)

The NDIA is constantly being asked for references to scholarly and professional research about the social impacts of broadband and digital inclusion. Has anybody studied the impact of broadband availability, speed, or adoption on local economic growth? On K-12 education? On health care? On civic or social engagement? How important is digital literacy for local businesses and jobs, or for maintaining older citizens’ connection to friends and community?

We’ve always done our best to stay informed about published research on these issues, and share that information when we’re asked. But now we have a better way.

In partnership with the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program, NDIA has created a searchable collection of reports, studies, and journal articles that address the impact of broadband and digital inclusion on community and individual well-being. It’s called the Broadband Research Base, and it’s live.

The Broadband Research Base currently includes more than eighty references. You can search for an entry by title, by keyword, by broad category (e.g. “Economy”) or more specific subcategory (e.g. “Migration”), by geographic focus, or by one of several “digital inclusion tags” (broadband availability, broadband adoption, broadband speed, broadband affordability, digital literacy). Every reference includes a link to the publication itself.

Some of the publications are academic articles that are only available for a fee (but your public library may be able to get you access). The Broadband Research Base is a work in progress. We will continue to make edits. To make content suggestions, use this form.  To make recommendations for edits to tags email info@digitalinclusion.org.

NDIA is a unified voice for home broadband access, public broadband access, personal devices, and local technology training and support programs. NDIA works collaboratively to craft, identify, and disseminate financial and operational resources for digital inclusion programs while serving as a bridge to policymakers and the general public. 

Check out the Broadband Research Base here.

Links: 

Broadband Research Base Database (NDIA)

Metropolitan Policy Program (Brookings)