Nationally-Known Broadband Policy Expert Named to Lead Joint Center Media and Technology Institute

WASHINGTON, July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, one of the nation's leading research and public policy institutions and the only one whose work focuses primarily on issues of particular concern to African Americans and other people of color, has named Dr. John B. Horrigan to head its Media and Technology Institute, which is a hub for research on how minority Americans use media, broadband and other emerging communications technologies as avenues of advancement.

Dr. Horrigan, who for nine years was Associate Director for Research at the Pew Internet & American Life Project, recently served on the Federal Communications Commission's team that developed the National Broadband Plan (NBP), where he created the research agenda for the Plan's digital inclusion elements.  He also designed and conducted the FCC's first national survey on broadband adoption and usage, the findings of which were highlighted in the NBP's first working paper.

Since October 2010, Dr. Horrigan has been Vice President of Policy & Research for TechNet, an organization of high tech CEO's that promotes the innovation economy, where he manages the group's telecom and technology policy work.  At TechNet, he has conducted research on the job impacts of mobile applications and has produced reports on workforce development and broadband adoption since the NBP.

Founded in 2008, the Joint Center Media and Technology Institute has been widely recognized for its work on issues related to minority inclusion in broadband access and adoption, and particularly for its groundbreaking reports on minority adoption and use of broadband.  Following the departure of its founding director, Dr. Nicol Turner-Lee, earlier this year, it has been led on an interim basis by Joseph S. Miller, Esq., who will remain at the Institute as Deputy Director and Senior Policy Counsel.

"Our Media and Technology Institute has been steadily building an evidentiary record that is driving broadband policy and various partnerships aimed at leveraging the new communications technologies to create more opportunity for people in our communities," said Ralph B. Everett, the Joint Center's President and CEO.  "As one of the nation's leading experts in this important field, Dr. Horrigan's deep experience in digital inclusion and how people use the Internet will enable the Institute to expand its impact and influence." 

"Getting more Americans online with broadband remains a challenge, particularly for minority groups," said Blair Levin, Director of Gig.U and formerly executive director of the National Broadband Plan. "John Horrigan's expertise in broadband adoption helped to shape the National Broadband Plan, and it will help the Joint Center generate ideas – backed by research and data – to address that challenge."

"In creating the Media and Technology Institute four years ago, the Joint Center decided to raise its profile in an area that is vitally important to our nation's future and particularly to minority Americans.  I am excited about this opportunity to help people and their communities find ways to leverage the power of broadband and other evolving technologies to expand access to build their knowledge and skills, succeed in all that they do, and enjoy good health and a better quality of life," said John Horrigan.

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies is one of the nation's leading research and public policy institutions and the only one whose work focuses primarily on issues of particular concern to African Americans and other people of color. To learn more, please visit www.jointcenter.org.

SOURCE Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies