Digital Access Research Forum

September 16 – 18, 2025

Kansas City

Hosted by the Federal Reserve Banks of Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas, Kansas City, New York and Philadelphia

The forum highlighted the latest research on digital access, as well as emerging methodologies and best practices in the sector. It brought 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.

These workshops offered hands-on learning experiences. Topics included sourcing and leveraging both quantitative and qualitative data, as well as practicing effective facilitation techniques.

Tuesday, Sept. 16
11:30 a.m.	Lunch
12:00 p.m.	Welcome Marisa Martinez, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City Kassandra Huhn, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
12:15 p.m.	Plenary Bridging the Divide Between Researchers and Practitioners This session explored the critical value of collaboration between researchers and practitioners to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Panelists discussed how shared insights can lead to more relevant research and more effective, data-informed initiatives. Revati Prasad, Benton Institute Tom Esselman, Digital Equity Program Office of Greater Kansas City Jennifer Sanders, Dallas Innovation Alliance Emily Hicks, Connect LA Moderator: Kseniya Benderskaya, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
1:00 p.m.	Break
1:15 p.m.	Workshop sessions Workshop 1A: Collecting Community Perspectives, Purpose and Methods This workshop covered qualitative research fundamentals and the why and how of collecting these insights. Discussion included the purpose of qualitative research and ways to conduct it, the application of different methods, how to formulate questions, methods of codifying and organizing information, and ways to present your findings. Sarah Miller, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Facilitator: Merissa Piazza, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland Workshop 1B: Fundamentals of Data for Community Engagement and Representation This workshop explored the current landscape of broadband and socioeconomic data availability (in terms of time and geography). It showcased examples of data analysis and data visualization that answer research questions about community-level broadband access relative to other socioeconomic characteristics and outcomes. Facilitator: Ambika Nair, Federal Reserve Bank of New York
2:45 p.m.	Break
3:00 p.m.	Workshop sessions Workshop 2A: How to Use Data to Tell Your Story A Federal Reserve communications expert discussed practical considerations for connecting data-informed work with target audiences. The workshop explored examples of memorable (and not-so-memorable) storytelling. Facilitator: Anne O’Shaughnessy, Fed Communities Pang Randolph, REACH Healthcare Foundation Workshop 2B: Demystifying Community Development Research Tools from the Federal Reserve System This workshop offered an introduction to various community development data tools from across the Federal Reserve System: the Community Investment Explorer, Native Community Data Profiles and Occupational Mobility Explorer. It included interactive demonstrations of the tools, examples of how to use them to access local-level data, and exercises to help participants get started using the tools. Mike Eggleston, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Amalea Jubara, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Facilitator: Theresa Dunne, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
4:30 p.m.	Workshops end

Wednesday, September 17
8:00 a.m.	Breakfast
9:00 a.m.	Welcome Joe Gruber, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
9:15 a.m.	Opening panel Measuring the Proliferation and Impact of Digital Inclusion Ecosystems National and state experts discussed evaluating digital equity ecosystems. Presenters reviewed processes undertaken to develop a comprehensive evaluation tool for use by state digital equity offices. They shared insights on supporting coalitions as a key capacity-building strategy and the ways coalitions impact, foster and influence digital inclusion ecosystems. Amy Huffman, National Digital Inclusion Alliance Katie Fox, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Anna Miller, Ohio Department of Development Aaron Schill, National Digital Inclusion Alliance Moderator: Jeremy Hegle, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
10:30 a.m.	Break
10:45 a.m.	Plenary The Economic Benefits of Broadband Expansion: What Does Research Say, and How Can You Use It? This session offered insights from two perspectives—those of a researcher and a practitioner applying results for specific communities—to investigate the economic benefits of broadband expansion. Presenters highlighted key research useful in quantifying broadband gains and discussed how economic practitioners use that research to inform growth assumptions under different broadband-adoption scenarios. Alan Spell, University of Missouri Brian Whitacre, Oklahoma State University Moderator: Roberto Gallardo, Purdue University
11:45 a.m.	Lunch and plenary The Role of the Nation’s Central Bank in Strengthening Community Development Initiatives The Federal Reserve System offers a variety of tools to help advance digital access and the broader field of community development. During this session, a panel of Fed leaders discussed their approaches and shared examples of how the Federal Reserve partners with communities across the country. Kseniya Benderskaya, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Jeremy Hegle, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City Theresa Singleton, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Otho Kerr, Federal Reserve Bank of New York Moderator: David Kaufmann, Federal Reserve Board of Governors
1:30 p.m.	Break
1:45 p.m.	Breakout sessions Session 1A: Broadband Affordability and Adoption This session examined the impact of broadband affordability on low-and moderate-income populations and efforts to make broadband subscriptions affordable, especially through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Presenters explored quantitative insights from existing pricing data, socioeconomic data and consumer insights, as well as future policy directions with the sunset of the ACP. Moderator: Merissa Piazza, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland “The Broadband Affordability Burden: Broadband Pricing and Household Budgets in Major U.S. Cities” Ambika Nair, Federal Reserve Bank of New York “What Difference Did the Affordable Connectivity Program Make? Exploring Recent Broadband Adoption Data” John B. Horrigan, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society Session 1B: Digital Access in Rural Areas This session explored key aspects of digital connectivity in rural areas, including barriers to access and successful approaches for providing affordable devices and sustainable, long-term household connectivity. It also highlighted learnings from a digital skills and career development initiative focused on connecting rural residents to remote jobs. Moderator: Marycruz De Leon, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas “Stuck in the Middle: Internet Insecurity in Rural America” Shauna Plath, Connected Nation Inc. “Cultivating Sustainable Computer Ownership Ecosystems in Rural Communities” Karisa J. Tashjian, Digitunity “Extension Education for Economic Development: Evaluating Workforce Development Training for Rural Utah Residents” Paul Hill, Utah State University
3:15 p.m.	Break
3:30 p.m.	Breakout sessions Session 2A: Broadband Data and Its Limitations This session explored existing limitations on access to broadband data and the availability of data. It highlighted recent research on the relationship between internet speeds and median household income and implications for income inequality, as well as shortcomings in existing federal datasets and subsequent analysis that aims to improve measurement and evaluation. Discussion focused on the implications of this research and how broadband data can be leveraged by stakeholders and policymakers alike. Moderator: Rachael Surmick, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City “How Fast is Fast Enough?” Roberto Gallardo, Purdue University “Bridging the Data Divide: Addressing Federal Data Gaps to Enhance Broadband Deployment” Colby Humphrey, The Pew Charitable Trusts Session 2B: Workforce Implications of Expanding Digital Access This session explored the implications of expanding broadband access for workforce development. Presenters highlighted the types of jobs required to build broadband infrastructure, training pathways into these roles, and how expanding internet access and digital skills training can influence education attainment, business and workforce outcomes. “Workforce Development in the Broadband Industry: Jobs Required for BEAD Deployment, Training Pathways and Considerations for State Investment” Lexi West, The Pew Charitable Trusts “Do Broadband Access and Digital Literacy Skills Impact Rural Workforce, Education and Businesses? Evidence from Communities in Rural Tennessee” Sreedhar Upendram, University of Tennessee Session 2C: Broadband Availability This session highlighted innovative data collection and analysis methods for examining disparities in broadband availability, speed and affordability. Presenters shared empirical approaches that advance understanding of patterns in service coverage and pricing that are often overlooked in existing datasets, offering valuable insights to guide digital equity initiatives and support evidence-based policy decisions. Moderator: Kassandra Huhn, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas “The Competitive Landscape of Digital Access: Mapping Broadband Availability and Affordability in Kansas City” William Crumpler, KC Digital Drive “Closing the Digital Divide: New Insights on U.S. Broadband Availability” Daniel Centuriao, West Virginia University
5:00 p.m.	Reception and poster session “Extension Education for Economic Development: Evaluating Workforce Development Training for Rural Utah Residents” Amanda D. Ali, Utah State University “Building Collaborations with the Older Adult in Mind: Lessons from the Field” Ines Escandon, Older Adults Technology Services “The Value of an Industry Sector Partnership Strategy and Workforce Data Analytics in Supporting Ohio’s Broadband and 5G Infrastructure Expansion” Julie Maurer, Ohio State University Tuyen Pham, Ohio University Laurie McKnight, Ohio University Mark Oleson, Ohio State University “Digital Disconnectedness Among Older Adults: Where Are We Today?” Jeff Rose, Older Adults Technology Services “How a University System Promotes Broadband Access in Local Communities Through Extension” Jennifer Williams, University of Missouri System
6:00 p.m.	Reception ends

Thursday, September 18
8:00 a.m.	Breakfast
8:50 a.m.	Welcome
9:00 a.m.	Breakout sessions Session 1A: Regional and Geographic Economic Implications of Digital Access This session explored how digital access and adoption are important factors in regional and rural economic growth and development. Presenters examined how broadband access and adoption improve business growth, education access, workforce development opportunities and economic outcomes in rural places and communities surrounding historically Black colleges and universities. “Beyond Connectivity: The Role of Broadband in Rural Economic Growth and Resilience” Amanda Weinstein, Center on Rural Innovation “The Benefit of the Bargain: The Role of Institutions of Higher Education in Federal Broadband Investments” Dominique Harrison, National Telecommunications and Information Administration Session 1B: Perspectives from Community- and Coalition-led Initiatives This session showcased how community leadership and cross-sector collaboration can drive lasting digital equity. Speakers shared lessons from municipal digital equity planning along with sustainable tech support models that empower residents and close adoption gaps. Participants learned practical strategies for inclusive planning, coalition building and sustaining impact—linking local action to measurable community and economic benefits. Moderator: Kassandra Huhn, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas “Municipal Digital Equity Planning: A Community-led Approach to Bridging Gaps and Building Sustainable Interventions” Anagha Devanarayanan, Metropolitan Area Planning Council “Building a Sustainable Digital Inclusion Through Ongoing Tech Support” Kami Griffiths, digitalLIFT
10:30 a.m.	Break
10:45 a.m.	Breakout sessions Session 2A: Toward Maximum Employment: Digital Access and Health This panel session featured research on digital connectivity and its relation to advancing health outcomes. Speakers discussed state and community-centric, health-related digital initiatives and the Affordable Connectivity Program’s connection to health access. “Bridging the Gap: Examining Disparities in Digital Health Care Access and the Impact of Improved Connectivity on Health Technology Adoption” Erezi Ogbo-Gebhardt, North Carolina Central University “The Digital Connection Health and Wellness Model” Tiffanie Spearman, CARDBoard Project “Better Internet, Better Health: A Statewide Assessment of Broadband Access in Underserved Communities in South Carolina” Maushmi K. Patel, University of South Carolina Session 2B: Increasing Financial Access Through Digital Payments This session explored research on digital financial inclusion as an important avenue to financial access and discussed a framework for measuring digital payments inclusion. Panelists highlighted ways in which consumers access and use digital payments and remittances, populations for whom the digital payments landscape is most influential, costs consumers face in digital payments, and how digital financial access can improve access to other banking and credit services. Moderator: Ambika Nair, Federal Reserve Bank of New York “Aspen Principles for the Future of Remittances” Diego Deleersnyder, Aspen Institute “Defining Households That Are Underserved in Digital Payment Services” Claire Greene, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
12:15 p.m.	Lunch and plenary The Future of Digital Access and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, has rapidly become a hot-button issue in the workforce world as experts debate its potential impact on workers. This session focused on AI in the context of building AI literacy and workforce readiness. Presenters shared insights on integrating AI literacy into existing digital skills curricula and the impact of AI on occupations and skills demand in key sectors. Moderator: Nye Hodge, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta “Incorporating AI Literacy and Use in Digital Skills Training for Adults” Tsion Tesfaye, National Digital Inclusion Alliance “Building an AI-Ready Workforce: Lessons from New Jersey’s Life Sciences and Technology Sectors” Kristine Joy Bacani, Rutgers University
1:30 p.m.	Closing remarks Merissa Piazza, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
2:00 p.m.	Forum ends

For more information

Contact Kassandra Huhn.