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Colin Rhinesmith

@crhinesmith.bsky.social
436 followers 695 following 48 posts

(he/they) Associate Professor + Director, Digital Equity Action Research (DEAR) Lab @ischoolui.bsky.social | Author, "Digital Equity Ecosystems" @ucpress.bsky.social

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Colin Rhinesmith @crhinesmith.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Mahalo to Burton Lum for having me on his show, Bytemarks Cafe on Hawaii Public Radio to talk about my new book. Burt's work with the Broadband Hui to develop their beautiful Hawaii Digital Equity Ecosystem Map was a huge inspiration for my book. www.hawaiipublicradio.org/podcast/byte...
hawaiipublicradio.org
Bytemarks Cafe - September 4: Digital Equity Ecosystems
Today we'll talk with Colin Rhinesmith who literally wrote the book on Digital Equity Ecosystems. We'll learn how geographically diverse communities formed coalitions to help close the digital divide.
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iSchool at Illinois @ischoolui.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Robert Wedgeworth (MSLIS '61), former University Librarian at #ILLINOIS, will deliver the 2026 Windsor Lecture at 2 p.m. on Sept. 9 via Zoom. His talk, "The Future of the iSchool," explores navigating the challenges of higher ed and the world of information. ▶️ bit.ly/46FTiXE
Robert Wedgeworth (MSLIS '61)
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iSchool at Illinois @ischoolui.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
We are hiring an associate/assistant director of external corporate relations to cultivate relationships with corporate partners, students, and faculty to advance experiential learning, workforce development, and research partnerships. Apply by August 21 ▶️ bit.ly/4glMtiD
We are hiring. School of Information Sciences
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iSchool at Illinois @ischoolui.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Congrats to #iSchoolUI Associate Professor @crhinesmith.bsky.social on being named a 2026–27 PEPP Fellow! 🎉   His project will examine the impact of Illinois’ broadband investments, particularly in rural communities, and help inform future broadband policy.   Learn more ▶️ bit.ly/4wUoTQQ
Associate Professor Colin Rhinesmith
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iSchool at Illinois @ischoolui.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
A record 13 new faculty are joining the #iSchoolUI this fall! 🎉   Meet the talented scholars whose teaching and research will help shape the future of our School ▶️ bit.ly/44WKtId
A collage of 13 of the iSchool’s newest faculty members put together in the shape of the block I. 

First row (left to right): LaVerne Gray, Hao Wang, Marianne Aubin Le Quéré, Min-Seok Choi, Iris Clever

Second row (left to right): Daniel Liu, Vishal Sharma, Alex Damarjian

Third row (left to right): Janaynne Carvalho do Amaral, Jungmin Lee, Katryna Starks, Emilie Butt, Jiovanie Velasquez
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Colin Rhinesmith @crhinesmith.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Thank you to our wonderful communications and marketing team in the @ischoolui.bsky.social for this great article! cc: @ucpress.bsky.social #digitalequityecosystems
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Colin Rhinesmith @crhinesmith.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
@chicagojournals.bsky.social Thank you for including my new book in your list of "New and Upcoming Titles of Interest to Social Work and Social Welfare Scholars"! www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/...
journals.uchicago.edu
Brief Notices New and Upcoming Titles of Interest to Social Work and Social Welfare Scholars: New and Upcoming Titles of Interest to Social Work and Social Welfare Scholars: Social Service R...
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Colin Rhinesmith @crhinesmith.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
My new book is out! "Digital Equity Ecosystems: How Community Coalitions Reduce Inequality and Strengthen Democracy" available at @ucpress.bsky.social www.ucpress.edu/books/digita...
ucpress.edu
Digital Equity Ecosystems by Colin Rhinesmith - Paper
Scholarship is a powerful tool for changing how people think, plan, and govern. By giving voice to bright minds and bold ideas, we seek to foster understanding and drive progressive change.
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Evan Greer @evangreer.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
BREAKING: the Massachusetts House just passed one of the best data privacy bills in the country. It includes a total ban on the sale of precise location data and includes a private right of action allowing people to sue Big Tech over data abuses. HUGE WIN! But there’s more work to do 🧵
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Colin Rhinesmith @crhinesmith.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
It was an honor to work with the visionary digital equity leader, Kyla Williams Tate on our new essay published today at @techpolicypress.bsky.social #SaveTheDigitalEquityAct
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ProPublica @propublica.org · 28/05/2026
Oklahoma’s social studies standards, written with the help of the right-wing group behind Project 2025, now include roughly 40 points about Christianity that students should learn as well as skepticism about the 2020 election and COVID-19’s origins. (Published Oct. 2025)
propublica.org
This Is Ground Zero in the Conservative Quest for More Patriotic and Christian Public Schools
Oklahoma has spent years reshaping public schools to integrate lessons about Jesus and encourage pride in America’s history. By the time the second Trump administration began espousing its “America Fi...
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Colin Rhinesmith @crhinesmith.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
My book just arrived! Available from UC Press on June 9! #digitalequityecosystems
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Colin Rhinesmith @crhinesmith.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
"Inequity is Not Inevitable: Save the Digital Equity Act" publicknowledge.org/inequity-is-...
publicknowledge.org
Inequity is Not Inevitable: Save the Digital Equity Act
Public Knowledge promotes freedom of expression, an open internet, and access to affordable communications tools and creative works. We work to shape policy.
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jessamyn @librarian.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
Curious about the status of early gay organizing in national library associations? I've uploaded "Gays In Library Land" written in 1990 by library LEGEND Barbara Gittings about the early days (1970s) of ALA's Gay and Lesbian Task Force. It's a good read. archive.org/details/gays...
archive.org
Gays In Library Land : Barbara Gittings : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
The Gay and Lesbian Task Force of the American Library Association: The First Sixteen Years
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Colin Rhinesmith @crhinesmith.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
Excited to share that my book, "Digital Equity Ecosystems: How Community Coalitions Reduce Inequality and Strengthen Democracy" is available for pre-order! Use promo code: UCPSAVE30 at checkout. www.ucpress.edu/books/digita...
ucpress.edu
Digital Equity Ecosystems by Colin Rhinesmith - Paper
Scholarship is a powerful tool for changing how people think, plan, and govern. By giving voice to bright minds and bold ideas, we seek to foster understanding and drive progressive change.
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Bibi Reisdorf, PhD (she/her) @bibireisdorf.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
THE @agomezfcc.bsky.social cited the work I did with the amazing @crhinesmith.bsky.social and Madison Bishop on affordability in her statement on Lifeline and Link Up reform! I'm humbled and honored every time I see that my work has real policy implications! docs.fcc.gov/public/attac...
docs.fcc.gov
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The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 21/02/2026
House Speaker Mike Johnson denied a request for the late Jesse Jackson to lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol. “Mike Johnson will defend a president who wants to unlawfully nationalize elections but won’t authorize a civil rights legend to lie in honor,” said NAACP President Derrick Johnson.
wapo.st
Speaker Johnson denies request for Jesse Jackson to lie in honor at the Capitol
The Republican-led House said Jesse Jackson cannot lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol. The NAACP criticized the decision.
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Colin Rhinesmith @crhinesmith.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
I will be giving my first book talk on Wednesday, Feb 18th at 11am (EST) at the Quello Center at Michigan State University. Here is the link to the event on the Quello Center’s website: quello.msu.edu/event/digita...
quello.msu.edu
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American Library Association @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
In these facilitator-led conversations, you will further explore the insights discovered in the Sustaining Wellbeing sessions. Connect with peers who get your day-to-day and walk away with practical tools and strategies. #ALAVirtual26 Secure your spot today. www.ala.org/virtual-event
Image: Carrying the Work Without Carrying the Weight
Presenter Photo: Leah T. Dudak
Tuesday, February 10
11:50am - 12:20pm CST
Illustration of a clover leaf 
Sustaining Wellbeing
Facilitated Conversation
Sponsor: Library of Congress: Federal Credit Union
Proudly Serving America’s Library Community
Secure Your Spot Now!
Recharging in Challenging Times
An ALA Virtual Event 
Feb. 10, 2026
FOR OUR LIBRARIES.
American Library Association
Image: Reclaiming Balance: Countering the Six Root Causes of Burnout
Presenter Photo: Bobbi L. Newman
Tuesday, February 10
1:35pm – 2:05pm CST
Illustration of a clover leaf 
Sustaining Wellbeing
Facilitated Conversation
Sponsor: Library of Congress: Federal Credit Union
Proudly Serving America’s Library Community
Secure Your Spot Now!
Recharging in Challenging Times
An ALA Virtual Event 
Feb. 10, 2026
FOR OUR LIBRARIES.
American Library Association
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J. Nathan Matias @natematias.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
"There is something particular about realizing that war is moving closer to you. The images, the emotions, the sounds, even the smells. The way we slowly grow accustomed to new forms of violence." Powerful story from Venezuela in @globalvoices.org globalvoices.org/2026/01/05/a...
globalvoices.org
A new, terrifying sound
“I thought Venezuelans had already heard every sound the country’s violence had to offer. But this was something new — terrifying in its unfamiliarity.”
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iSchool at Illinois @ischoolui.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Join the #iSchoolUI! We invite applications for the Director of Recruitment and Admissions, who will be responsible for the overall recruitment, admissions, and yield operations for the School. Submit your application by January 16 ▶️ bit.ly/44z76mf
"We are hiring" graphic with a blue finial background
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iSchool at Illinois @ischoolui.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
#iSchoolUI Associate Professor @crhinesmith.bsky.social has been elected to serve on the iSchools Board of Directors, where he will assist in developing the strategic direction of the iSchools organization. Congratulations, Colin! ▶️ bit.ly/4iSvwwV
Associate Professor Colin Rhinesmith
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iSchool at Illinois @ischoolui.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
In this new podcast, #iSchoolUI Associate Professor Colin Rhinesmith and Allison Lester, host of the Thinking Through... Podcast, reflect on what gets overlooked in conversations about the digital divide. ➡️ bit.ly/4pmMtl2
Thinking Through... Digital Equity or Digital Divide?
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Colin Rhinesmith @crhinesmith.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
Thrilled to announce that my new book, "Digital Equity Ecosystems: How Community Coalitions Reduce Inequality and Strengthen Democracy" will be published by @ucpress.bsky.social in June 2026! www.ucpress.edu/books/digita...
ucpress.edu
Digital Equity Ecosystems by Colin Rhinesmith - Paper
Scholarship is a powerful tool for changing how people think, plan, and govern. By giving voice to bright minds and bold ideas, we seek to foster understanding and drive progressive change.
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Colin Rhinesmith @crhinesmith.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
This is a very sad reality of our current moment in U.S. history. #publicbroadcasting www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
Bob Ross paintings to be auctioned to help fund US public broadcasting
The auction will support the medium that brought the Joy of Painting host's creativity into US homes for decades, Bob Ross Inc says.
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Aram Sinnreich @aramsinn.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
This is so clearly immoral that it *feels* like it should be illegal. But current IP laws (state-level rights of publicity) aren't up to the task & ratcheting them up would risk impinging on artistic freedom. What we need instead is an anti-deepfake law, which Congress has tried and failed to pass.
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Colin Rhinesmith @crhinesmith.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
Thrilled to share the design for the cover of my new book, which will be published by the University of California Press in 2026! Many thanks to the UC Press creative team and Vanessa Rhinesmith for heavily informing the final design. #digitalequity
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The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 20/08/2025
Data centers for AI and cloud computing don’t just use a lot of electricity – they also use enormous quantities of water as well, to cool down all those servers. buff.ly/KtLcLZ2
theconversation.com
Data centers consume massive amounts of water – companies rarely tell the public exactly how much
In 2024, one data center in Iowa consumed 1 billion gallons of water, enough to supply all the state’s residences with water for five days.
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Victor Pickard @victorpickard.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
Canceling Colbert is just another egregious example of why we can't entrust our major media institutions in the hands of profit-driven oligarchs. Such concentrated power over media is especially dangerous under growing authoritarianism, muffling dissent precisely at the moment when we need it most.
thenation.com
The Media’s Profits Trump Democracy, Once Again
Paramount’s settlement with Trump is a symptom of deep structural rot in our corporate media system.
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Colin Rhinesmith @crhinesmith.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
Thrilled to have a new article published in the Journal of Information Policy co-authored with my wonderful colleagues Dr. Pierrette Renée Dagg, Dr. Megan Knittel, and Joon Oh. #digitalequity #digitalinclusion #broadband doi.org/10.5325/jinf...
doi.org
Beyond Access and Infrastructure: Evaluating the Impact of Local Contexts on Digital Equity Strategies Through the Lens of the Digital Opportunities Compass
Abstract. This article presents a multiple case study of context in shaping local digital equity policies in three communities in Michigan, United States. Few studies have systematically investigated ...
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Ars Technica @arstechnica.com · 30/06/2025
arstechnica.com
Senate GOP budget bill has little-noticed provision that could hurt your Wi-Fi
Cruz bill could take 6 GHz spectrum away from Wi-Fi, give it to mobile carriers.
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Colin Rhinesmith @crhinesmith.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
"Federal damage to affordable, equitable broadband and digital inclusion" via @bentoninstitute.bsky.social #digitalequity #digitalinclusion #broadband #SaveTheDigitalEquityAct uccmediajustice.org/federal-dama...
uccmediajustice.org
Federal damage to affordable, equitable broadband and digital inclusion
In recent days, major new proposals from the Trump Administration and the majority in Congress are damaging further mechanisms that would have provided low-cost broadband to households in need.
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MS NOW @ms.now · 21/06/2025
BREAKING: Mahmoud Khalil speaks out after being released from ICE detention. "The Trump administration are doing their best to dehumanize everyone here," Khalil said.
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Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
A significant development (via Wall Street Journal)... "One of the first coordinated public efforts from the business community to push back on some of the Trump administration’s moves." Business Leaders Call Trump Attacks on Universities a Competitive Threat
wsj.com
Business Leaders Call Trump Attacks on Universities a Competitive Threat
More than 200 business leaders signed an open letter calling on the Trump administration to reverse its moves against colleges and universities, arguing that funding cuts and restrictions on [student
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Colin Rhinesmith @crhinesmith.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
I am excited to share that our 2019 paper, titled “The Ability to Pay for Broadband” (Rhinesmith, Reisdorf, & Bishop) is now available open access in the journal Communication Research and Practice. #digitalequity #broadband #digitalinclusion www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
tandfonline.com
The ability to pay for broadband
This paper presents findings from two studies: a national study of digital inclusion programmes managed by community-based organisations in the USA that help people gain access to low-cost broadban...
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Justin Hendrix @justinhendrix.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
"The artificial intelligence boom means the Environment Agency has no idea how much water England will be short of in future decades, as datacentres do not have to report how much they are using to cool their servers."
theguardian.com
AI boom means regulator cannot predict future water shortages in England
Datacentres, which do not have to report amount of water used to cool servers, leave Environment Agency with no idea of shortfalls
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Janessa Goldbeck @janessagoldbeck.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
🚨 There’s a lot of horrific news out of Washington right now—but you might have missed this: Senate Republicans just introduced a plan to sell off 120 million acres of our public lands. Let me break down what’s in the bill and why it’s a full-scale land grab. 🧵
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Kai Ryssdal @kairyssdal.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
Your regular reminder tariffs are taxes paid by American consumers. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/12/u...
nytimes.com
Trump Steel Tariffs Expanded to Hit Home Appliances
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Sasha Costanza-Chock @schock.cc · 10/06/2025
Unbelievable. The supposedly progressive state of MA, where I reside, is sharing teenagers' biometric data with FBI and ICE. Multiple students have recently been detained by ICE in Chelsea, MA. We have a bill to stop this: H.1657 / S.1058. Please send letters: actionnetwork.org/letters/emai...
actionnetwork.org
Email MA State Reps and Senators
An incident at Chelsea High School on May 14th resulted in two students being detained by ICE. This revealed chilling loopholes in MA state law that leave our children, their families, and our communi...
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Molly Knight @mollyknight.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
One of the reasons this program is so popular is the Whittier Public Library also offers free summer meals for kids and teens. So ICE decided to show up the day the summer reading and free meal program for children began. Absolute ghouls. www.whittierlibrary.org/Home/Compone...
whittierlibrary.org
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Colin Rhinesmith @crhinesmith.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
"By threatening to defund Digital Equity Act programs, Trump has declared war on a program that benefitted many of his own supporters." #digitalequity #digitaldivide progressive.org/latest/trump...
progressive.org
Trump Wants to Keep America Digitally Divided
By threatening to defund Digital Equity Act programs, Trump has declared war on a program that benefitted many of his own supporters.
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Maya Sen @mayasen.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
This piece in the NY Times correctly hones in on why international students are vital to US interests Kicking them out will destroy the research & development pipeline that has propelled the US into global leadership in science & tech
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iSchool at Illinois @ischoolui.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
Stay connected with us wherever you are!   Follow us on all your favorite platforms for the latest news, events, and #iSchoolUI happenings—now including Bluesky! 🦋
Follow the iSchool at Illinois on socials, including Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and now Bluesky!
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Colin Rhinesmith @crhinesmith.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
"State Plans Show Us the Cost of Eliminating the Digital Equity Act" #digitaldivide #digitalequity #SavetheDigitalEquityAct www.benton.org/blog/state-p...
benton.org
State Plans Show Us the Cost of Eliminating the Digital Equity Act
What states planned to do with their digital capacity funds shows the costs of eliminating the Digital Equity Act
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Teen Vogue @teenvogue.com · 29/05/2025
At least 31 gender and sexuality based resource centers have shuttered across 23 college campuses. Read the full story here ⤵️
teenvogue.com
These Colleges Are Shuttering Their Women’s and LGBTQ+ Centers
Here’s what to know.
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Colin Rhinesmith @crhinesmith.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
Thrilled to share my new article with Sangha Kang-Le, titled "Understanding the Value of a Digital Equity Researcher-Practitioner Collaboration Using Participatory Action Research" just published in the Journal of Participatory Research Methods. #digitalequity jprm.scholasticahq.com/article/1290...
jprm.scholasticahq.com
Understanding the Value of a Digital Equity Researcher-Practitioner Collaboration Using Participatory Action Research | Published in Journal of Participatory Research Methods
By Colin Rhinesmith, Sangha Kang-Le. Paper addresses a gap in the existing digital equity literature and deeply reflects on collaboration using PAR as a research/practitioner team.
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Shannon Mattern @shannonmattern.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
[1/5] We're launching a new thing @ the Metro NY Library Council: The Cross-Reference Coalition is an experimental school tracing exuberantly🤗 interdisciplinary links btw NYC's libraries + archives; connecting its knwldg workers, grad students, artists + designers. We'll also make a rad book...
docs.google.com
METROCrossReferenceCoalition_Students
The Cross-Reference Coalition An Experimental School
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PBS News @pbsnews.org · 23/05/2025
Tribal colleges and universities have endured decades of chronic underfunding, relying heavily on federal support to stay afloat. Now, the Trump administration’s broad cuts to federal programs are hitting Indian Country hard, posing a serious threat to the future of these vital institutions.
buff.ly
Tribal colleges face uncertain future amid federal funding cuts
Tribal colleges and universities have endured decades of chronic underfunding, relying heavily on federal support to stay afloat. Now, the Trump administration’s broad cuts to federal programs are…
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Dr. Elinor Carmi @elinorcarmi.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
1. Our paper examines what literacies people need to challenge big tech companies. We selected key digital rights practitioners to share from their experience what works and what doesn't work when trying to mobilize people to challenge Big Tech -> www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
tandfonline.com
Building data citizenship and learning to resist in the datafied society
This paper explores what literacies people need to challenge big tech companies. We selected key digital rights practitioners, who mediate between policy and public awareness and have diverse exper...
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