This page lists some of the active research projects currently underway in the Digital Equity Action Research (DEAR) Lab.
Evaluating Infrastructure Investments to Inform Broadband Policy in Illinois
Dr. Colin Rhinesmith, Associate Professor and Director of the Digital Equity Action Research (DEAR) Lab in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will work closely with the Devon Braunstein, Director of the Illinois Office of Broadband and her team housed in the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), in partnership with the Illinois Broadband Lab, on a year-long research project in 2026-2027 to evaluate the social and economic impacts of the Connect Illinois (Rounds 1-3) grant program. The goals of the project include: (1) quantitatively measuring broadband adoption and usage in funded regions; (2) qualitatively assessing community experiences through focus groups in regions where broadband investments have been made; and (3) developing a replicable model that can be applied to evaluate future broadband initiatives. The project is supported through the Partnerships for Evidence-Based Public Policy Fellowship program, which is funded by the Social and Behavioral Sciences Institute and the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois.
Digital Equity Ecosystems (University of California Press, 2026)
Digital Equity Ecosystems (University of California Press, June 2026) introduces readers to the groundswell of community coalitions that work to alleviate technological inequity and social injustice. Through a comprehensive review of theories and concepts across the fields of information, communication, technology, and public health studies, Colin Rhinesmith reveals how the digital equity ecosystems framework is essential for addressing urgent digital inequalities. Investigating five original case studies of digital equity ecosystems across the United States, Rhinesmith shows how community coalitions serve as vital infrastructure to tackle digital inequality and strengthen democracy. By focusing on these ecosystems as sites for community engagement, civic participation, and social justice organizing, this book helps us make sense of the current moment, arguing that it is crucial to bridge both the digital divide and other social divides more broadly at a time when democracies are in decline worldwide.
Investigating the Digital Equity Capacity of Illinois Public Libraries
This research seeks to address this gap in practice and scholarship through a partnership with the data and technology services team at the Reaching Across Illinois Library System. The purpose of the research is to achieve through the following objectives: (1) determine effective ways to measure the digital equity and literacy needs of the populations served by RAILS libraries; (2) identify key methods of collecting and interpreting data about the effectiveness of digital equity resources in RAILS libraries; and (3) establish key metrics that can be used to measure the effectiveness and impacts of a digital equity program or model for public libraries in Illinois. Learn more about this project.
Past Projects
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.
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, Visiting Associate Professor and DEAR Lab Director. Learn more about this project.