Student Employment Opportunity –Spring/Summer/Fall 2025
Undergraduate Research Assistant – Broadband policy
The Quello Center is seeking a qualified undergraduate student to assist with research and outreach related to broadband policy
Background
Our research project develops tools to assist state and federal decisionmakers to narrow digital divides that disadvantage up to a quarter of Americans. Rural areas, where access is missing, and low-income populations, who cannot afford access, are particularly affected. Their opportunities to take advantage of online educational services, telehealth, and digital government services are impeded. The emergence of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence applications and services, will create new challenges and may aggravate these prevailing divides. Narrowing digital divides remains an urgent task for public policy and our project seeks to contribute to this national effort.
Responsibilities
The RA will work closely with the research team, consisting of Dr. Johannes M. Bauer (Media and Information) and Dr. Elizabeth Mack (Geography), and will be responsible for:
- Assisting with the collection and analysis of information on local, state, and federal programs to overcome digital divides.
- Assisting with the collection of data documenting the extent of digital discrepancies at the local, state, national and international level.
- Summarizing policy documents and academic literature.
- Regularly meet team members as needed.
- Other duties will be specified as the project unfolds.
- Experience with text analysis research techniques such as content analysis is desired.
- Coursework or other experience in data science, computer science, and/or statistical analysis is a plus.
The RA will have the opportunity to be a co-author of conference presentations and publications that result from the work.
Qualifications
Given the nature of the work, familiarity with spreadsheets, Google Drive, and Microsoft Office products is necessary. Experience with visualization software, such as Power BI and/or Tableau would be a strength. Similarly, knowledge of regression analysis as well as text analysis research techniques would be helpful. Coursework or other experience in data science, computer science, and/or statistical analysis is a plus. Work may be conducted remotely, but some arranged in-person meetings will be necessary.
Benefits
10-20 hours/week starting immediately. Pay dependent on qualifications, in the range of $15-20/hour. The current phase of the project will run through Fall semester 2025 with the possibility to continue in 2026. Time can be arranged flexibly. The position can qualify for internship credit.
