Dr. Rafi Santo (Telos Learning) and DERC Director, Dr. Colin Rhinesmith previewed research findings from their upcoming report, titled “Digital Equity Ecosystems Measurement Framework” at the 20th annual Community Informatics Research Network conference, which was held at Monash University in Prato, Italy on November 9-11.
During the presentation, titled “Digital Equity Ecosystems Measurement: A Participatory Design Approach” (link to conference presentation on YouTube) Drs. Santo and Rhinesmith discussed the participatory design methodology used to inform the DEEM measurement framework. The methodology included interviews and participatory design activities with coalition leaders and members from across the United States including representatives from the National Digital Inclusion Alliance.
The slide featured in this post introduces a preview of the DEEM framework and shows each of the three measurement levels introduced in our report. The report with the DEEM framework and findings from our research, with our participants who contributed significantly to the framework, will be published by the Digital Equity Research Center at the Metropolitan New York Library Council on Tuesday, November 29th.
As the report explains, the DEEM framework should be useful to any local coalition working to understand and evaluate their work to grow and sustain healthy digital equity ecosystems. To guide this work, the report’s authors argue “a clearly articulated, rigorous, and accessible framework to measure the efforts led by local coalitions can further support initiatives to promote universal broadband, deliver new opportunities, and strengthen digital equity ecosystems.”
To view a list of the CIRN conference presentations, visit the Prato 2022 – ConfTool and browse the conference sessions.
