The Media and Technology Institute focuses on the following policy areas:

Broadband

The questions of broadband availability, affordability, and accessibility continue to drive the dialogue around minority broadband adoption.  Through research on these broadband issues, MTI engages in targeted research partnerships that create new models and highlight best practices for expanding digital access for minorities, the poor, and seniors.  MTI staff also advise government agencies, elected officials, academics, and other policy institutes on major policy issues related to information technology and telecommunications, particularly their impact on underserved, low-income, and minority consumers.

Technology Innovation Sectors

An expanding digital ecosystem has the potential to drive economic development, civic engagement, and talent enrichment, especially in marginalized communities.  Through a series of roundtables, the Institute convenes high-level government officials with a logical mix of stakeholders to discuss the following sectors: Smart Grid; Health Information Technology; Green Information Technology; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Education; Open Government; and Social Media.  These discussions and the various resulting products that emerge – whether a paper, policy or partnership -  set the framework for resolving new, and future pressing concerns for people of color.

Mass Media Consumption

The Media and Technology Institute engages in research and policy analyses aimed at shedding light on emerging mass media policies.  More specifically, the Institute analyzes and reports on changes in broadcast and news distribution that affect minority participation, representation, and ownership in print, broadcast, and news media.

Comparative International Research and Regulation

The focus of this program area is to inventory best practice models and programs that have potential application in other research areas (broadband, technology innovation sectors and mass media), engage Institute scholars in discussion on international applications and regulations, and structure international partnerships to create a repository of best practice models.