Welcome to the DEAR Lab

What is digital equity?

“Digital equity refers to the state where every person and community has the necessary information technology resources to participate in society, democracy, and the economy fully.” – Internet Society Foundation

The Digital Equity Action Research (DEAR) Laboratory is led by Dr. Colin Rhinesmith, Associate Professor in the School of Information Sciences. The DEAR Lab engages in community-engaged and participatory research to advance digital equity in Illinois and worldwide. We partner with community-based organizations, government agencies, philanthropic organizations, and other entities to advance mutually-beneficial research initiatives that benefit those most impacted by digital inequities.

Learn more about the DEAR Lab.

Current Projects

Digital Navigators of the Hudson Valley

Southeastern NY Library Resources Council (Southeastern) has received a grant to evaluate its digital navigation services at libraries and community organizations across the Mid-Hudson Region. The project is led by the Metropolitan New York Library Council (METRO) in collaboration with Dr. Colin Rhinesmith, Associate Professor and DEAR Lab Director. Learn more about this project.

Human Infrastructure of Broadband

The human infrastructure of broadband refers to the people and organizations who provide direct support to individuals to access affordable internet and devices and teach people the digital skills necessary to make use of connectivity and fully participate in modern society. This report was co-authored by Dr. Colin Rhinesmith and written for policymakers across multiple sectors. Learn more about this project.

Land Acknowledgement

The Digital Equity Action Research (DEAR) Lab would like to recognize and acknowledge that we are on the lands of the Peoria, Kaskaskia, Piankashaw, Wea, Miami, Mascoutin, Odawa, Sauk, Mesquaki, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Chickasaw Nations. These lands were the traditional territory of these Native Nations prior to their forced removal; these lands continue to carry the stories of these Nations and their struggles for survival and identity. As a land-grant institution, the University of Illinois has a particular responsibility to acknowledge the peoples of these lands, as well as the histories of dispossession that have allowed for the growth of this institution for the past 150 years. We are also obligated to reflect on and actively address these histories and the role that this university has played in shaping them. This acknowledgement and the centering of Native peoples is a start as we move forward for the next 150 years.

UIUC Land Acknowledgement (Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion)