Digital Access Research Forum
The forum will highlight the latest research on digital access, as well as emerging methodologies and best practices in the sector.
This in-person event brings together academics, researchers, community development practitioners and policymakers for impactful conversations around digital access research in areas such as:
- Program evaluation and outcomes measurement.
- Benefits of digital access interventions in communities.
- Economic and labor market implications.
Sept. 16–18, 2025
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
1 Memorial Drive
Kansas City, MO 64198
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Attendees can register for one, two or all three days. Day 1 offers pre-forum workshops tailored for practitioners, state broadband offices and policymakers. Day 2 and Day 3 are the main forum sessions for all audiences.
Find agenda details on the tabs for each day.
Early-bird pricing is available through July 18. Registration closes Sept. 4.
| Registration options | Early bird | Regular registration |
| All 3 days | $155 | $200 |
| Day 1 only (workshops) | $30 | $50 |
| Days 2 and 3 only (main forum) | $125 | $150 |
These workshops offer hands-on learning experiences. Topics include sourcing and leveraging both quantitative and qualitative data, as well as practicing effective facilitation techniques.
| Tuesday, Sept. 16 | |
| 11:00 a.m. | Registration |
| 11:30 a.m. | Lunch and plenary Bridging the Divide Between Researchers and Practitioners
|
| 1:00 p.m. | Break |
| 1:15 p.m. | Workshop sessions Workshop 1A: Qualitative Insights
Workshop 1B: Quantitative Data
|
| 2:45 p.m. | Break |
| 3:00 p.m. | Workshop sessions Workshop 2A: Storytelling
Workshop 2B: Fed Resources
|
| 4:00 p.m. | Workshops end |
| Wednesday, Sept. 17 | |
| 8:00 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 9:00 a.m. | Welcome and introduction |
| 9:15 a.m. | Plenary Emerging Datasets: Measuring the Proliferation and Impact of Digital Inclusion Ecosystems
|
| 10:45 a.m. | Break |
| 11:00 a.m. | Plenary The Economic Benefits of Broadband Expansion: What Does the Research Say and How Can You Use It?
|
| 12:00 p.m. | Lunch and plenary Understanding the Role of Community Development for the Nation’s Central Bank
|
| 1:15 p.m. | Break |
| 1:30 p.m. | Breakout sessions Session1A: Broadband Affordability and Adoption“The Broadband Affordability Burden: Broadband Pricing and Household Budgets in Major U.S. Cities”
“What Difference Did the Affordable Connectivity Program Make? Exploring Recent Broadband Adoption Data”
Session 1B: Digital Access in Rural Areas “Stuck in the Middle: Internet Insecurity in Rural America”
“Cultivating Sustainable Computer Ownership Ecosystems in Rural Communities”
“Extension Education for Economic Development: Evaluating Workforce Development Training for Rural Utah Residents”
|
| 3:00 p.m. | Break |
| 3:30 p.m. | Breakout sessions Session 2A: Broadband Data and Its Limitations “How Fast Is Fast Enough?”
“Bridging the Data Divide: Addressing Federal Data Gaps to Enhance Broadband Deployment”
“Workforce Development in the Broadband Industry: Jobs Required for BEAD Deployment, Training Pathways and Considerations for State Investment”
“Do Broadband Access and Digital Literacy Skills Impact Rural Workforce, Education and Businesses? Evidence from Communities in Rural Tennessee”
Session 2C: Broadband Availability “The Competitive Landscape of Digital Access: Mapping Broadband Availability and Affordability in Kansas City”
“Closing the Digital Divide: New Insights on U.S. Broadband Availability”
|
| 5:00 p.m. | Reception and poster session |
| 6:00 p.m. | Reception ends |
| Thursday, Sept. 18 | |
| 8:00 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 9:00 a.m. | Welcome |
| 9:15 a.m. | Breakout sessions Session 1A: Regional and Geographic Economic Implications of Digital Access “Beyond Connectivity: The Role of Broadband in Rural Economic Growth and Resilience”
“The Benefit of the Bargain: The Role of Institutions of Higher Education in Federal Broadband Investments”
Session 1B: Perspectives from Community- and Coalition-ledInitiatives “Municipal Digital Equity Planning: A Community-Led Approach to Bridging Gaps and Building Sustainable Interventions”
“Building a Sustainable Digital Inclusion Through Ongoing Tech Support”
|
| 10:45 a.m. | Break |
| 11:00 a.m. | Breakout sessions Session 2A: Toward Maximum Employment: Digital Access and Health “Bridging the Gap: Examining Disparities in Digital Health Care Access and the Impact of Improved Connectivity on Health Technology Adoption”
“The Digital Connection Health and Wellness Model”
“Better Internet, Better Health: A Statewide Assessment of Broadband Access in Underserved Communities in South Carolina”
Session 2B: Increasing Financial Access Through Digital Payments
“Defining Households That Are Underserved in Digital Payment Services”
|
| 12:30 p.m. | Lunch and plenary The Future of Digital Access and Artifical Intelligence (AI) “Incorporating AI Literacy and Use in Digital Skills Training for Adults”
“Building an AI-Ready Workforce: Lessons from New Jersey’s Life Sciences and Technology Sectors”
|
| 1:30 p.m. | Closing remarks |
| 2:00 p.m. | Forum ends |
For more information
Contact Kassandra Huhn with any questions.