Benton Welcomes New Benton Faculty Research Fellow Dr. Colin Rhinesmith

The Benton Foundation named Dr. Colin Rhinesmith the new Benton Faculty Research Fellow. In this role, Dr Rhinesmith will conduct original Benton research as well as advise the foundation on new research opportunities. In his first project for Benton, Dr Rhinesmith is conducting a study of low-cost Internet and digital literacy training programs in low-income communities across the U.S. The goal of the study is to provide data and outcomes-based measures that can be useful to policymakers, Internet service providers, and other digital inclusion stakeholders, particularly as the Federal Communications Commission and Congress seek to reform the Universal Service Fund. Dr. Rhinesmith is also working with Benton Fellow Raphael Leung to compile research resources on the impact effects of broadband availability on vulnerable communities. A fall 2015 report will look at the need for robust broadband among low-income communities and address what the minimum services standards should be for low-income telecommunications programs.