policy research

08 Sep 2015

Multiple Methods & Mutual Respect: Key Ingredients For Good Policy Research

0
I thought I’d write a short follow-up in response to the exchange of comments following my recent post on issues related to impacts of the FCC’s Open Internet order on ISP investment. I very much appreciate the responses to my post, especially from Hal Singer and Mark Jamison, whose work was the target of my sometimes insufficiently respectful criticism. It helped me understand the substantive issues better and also reminded me that respectful dialog on important and controversial issues may not always be easy, but is certainly worth the effort…and that I’m still somewhat haltingly learning that lesson. I especially […]
CONTINUE READING
05 Sep 2015

A Reminder Why the Quello Center Net Neutrality Impact Study is Important

20
In the past week or so I’ve seen several articles that remind me how important the Quello Center’s empirically-grounded study of net neutrality impacts is for clarifying what these impacts will be—especially since net neutrality is one of those policy topics where arguments are often driven by ideology and/or competing financial interests. As far as I can tell, this series of articles began with an August 25 piece written by economist Hal Singer and published by Forbes under the following headline: Does The Tumble In Broadband Investment Spell Doom For The FCC’s Open Internet Order? Per his Forbes bio, Singer […]
CONTINUE READING
16 Aug 2015

Evolving Infrastructure Models: Telecom, Electricity & the IoT

0
Though not as essential as drinking water, I consider both electricity and Internet access to be core infrastructure, with high fixed costs and providing general purpose support for the requirements of modern life. As the Internet expands to include networked “things” as well as people, and electric utilities pursue a future “smart grid,” the scope of these two sectors’ activity seem likely to overlap more than ever in the future. One example of this is the widespread deployment by utilities of so-called “smart meters” connected via the utility’s own (usually wireless) network. Though it’s unclear how this strategy will evolve […]
CONTINUE READING
25 Jul 2015

NYT Buries Lead, Muddies Water on EMF Health Issue

3
As I explained in an earlier blog post, I believe potential risks associated with our ever-more-intensive use of wireless devices, and the expanding body of research suggesting such risks do exist, are being unwisely ignored in our rush to enjoy the benefits of these technologies. As that earlier post suggested, I see a need for: 1) A much-expanded program of research focused on understanding and mitigating EMF-related health risks, especially for vulnerable populations; 2) A fact-based and respectful discussion of research and public policy issues related to such risks. Given my interest in this subject, I thought I might learn […]
CONTINUE READING
31 Aug 2014

Doctoral Opportunities in Media and Information Studies

2
The Quello Center is anchored in the Department of Media and Information at MSU, which provides attractive opportunities for doctoral studies with a multi-disciplinary faculty. The Media and Information Studies (MIS) PhD program at Michigan State University would like to hear from outstanding students who wish to join an innovative interdisciplinary program of study at the intersection of the social sciences, humanities, including the study of  socio technical systems, Internet studies, and communication policy and governance. Our diverse faculty develops and applies transformative knowledge about media and society and evolving information and communication technologies. The program engages students to become […]
CONTINUE READING