“The participatory researcher . . . is about being committed to transforming the social relations of knowledge production and to democratic participation in the research process.” – Stoecker (1999)
I am Director of the Digital Equity Action Research (DEAR) Lab in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The DEAR Lab engages in community-engaged and participatory research to advance digital equity in Illinois and worldwide. We partner with community-based organizations, government agencies, philanthropic organizations, and other entities to advance mutually-beneficial research initiatives that benefit those most impacted by digital inequities.
My current research examines the role of community informatics projects in creating and sustaining healthy “digital equity ecosystems” (Rhinesmith, 2024), which I define as interactions between individuals, populations, communities, and their larger sociotechnical environments that all play a role in shaping the work to advance digital equity as a social, economic, and racial justice goal. As part of this research, I have been examining conceptualizations of community coalitions found in the public health literature, as well as concepts from functional ecology and science and technology studies, to gain deeper insights into the structures, processes, and outcomes of local coalitions in the digital equity field.
I am currently preparing my book, titled Digital Equity Ecosystems: How Community Coalitions Reduce Inequality and Strengthen Democracy for the University of California Press that will be published in June 2026.
I have received research grants from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, Robert W. Deutsch Foundation, and Comcast Corporation. My research has been published in several top-ranked academic journals, including: Information, Communication & Society; Telecommunications Policy; International Journal of Communication; Information Technology, and Libraries; Media, Culture & Society; Government Information Quarterly; Public Library Quarterly; and Mobile Media & Communication. My work has appeared in edited volumes published by The MIT Press and Rowman & Littlefield, and I have written several articles on digital inclusion, digital equity, and broadband adoption published by the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society.
My research has been cited by the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Department of Housing and Urban Development. The European Commission, Finnish Government, World Bank, British Academy, and Council of Canadian Academies have also cited my work in their publications. I have presented my research to policymakers in Washington, D.C., including members of the U.S. Congress, FCC, NTIA, and The White House during the Obama Administration.
Research Grants
2024 Principal Investigator. “Digital Equity Ecosystems: How Community Coalitions Combat Digital Inequalities and Strengthen Democracy.” Comcast Corporation ($50,000).
2023-2024 Principal Investigator. “State Digital Equity Planning Grant.” New Hampshire Department of Business & Economic Affairs, University of New Hampshire (PTE), (Subaward #PZM0309, $89,100).
2022-2023 Principal Investigator. “Digital Equity and Justice in Maryland: Challenges and Opportunities.” Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition ($34,430).
2021 Principal Investigator. “Improving Digital Inclusion and Broadband Infrastructure in Native Communities.” US Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Leadership Program (#LG-250043-OLS-21, $517,078).
2021-2022 Principal Investigator. “Digital Equity Ecosystems: Community-Based Approaches to Digital Inclusion and Broadband Adoption.” The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society ($20,000).
2018-2020 Principal Investigator. “Measuring Library Broadband Networks for the National Digital Platform.” US Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Leadership Program (#LG-71-18-0110-18, $568,672).
2016-2017 Co-Principal Investigator. “At the Edges of the National Digital Platform: Rural Library Hotspot Lending Programs.” US Institute of Museum and Library Services, Laura Bush 21st Century Librarians Program (#RE-21-16-0004-16, $496,586).
2016 Principal Investigator. “Outcomes-Based Evaluation for Digital Inclusion Organizations.” The Benton Foundation ($7,000).
2015-2016 Principal Investigator. “Broadband Adoption Programs in Low-Income Communities.” The Benton Foundation, Charles Benton Legacy Fund ($8,000).
Research Projects
Digital Equity Ecosystems (June 2026, University of California Press).
Digital Equity Ecosystems introduces readers to the groundswell of community coalitions that work to alleviate technological inequity and social injustice. Through a comprehensive review of theories and concepts across the fields of information, communication, technology, and public health studies, Colin Rhinesmith reveals how the digital equity ecosystems framework is essential for addressing urgent digital inequalities. Investigating five original case studies of digital equity ecosystems across the United States, Rhinesmith shows how community coalitions serve as vital infrastructure to tackle digital inequality and strengthen democracy. By focusing on these ecosystems as sites for community engagement, civic participation, and social justice organizing, this book helps us make sense of the current moment, arguing that it is crucial to bridge both the digital divide and other social divides more broadly at a time when democracies are in decline worldwide.
Completed Research Projects
Digital Equity Ecosystem Measurement: Developing a Conceptual Framework and Measurement Tools for Digital Equity Coalitions. To support the growth and development of digital equity ecosystems, communities across the country have been organizing local digital inclusion coalitions. However, the digital inclusion field currently lacks the conceptual frameworks, methodologies, and evaluation tools needed to effectively and holistically measure the outcomes and impacts of this work. As the National Telecommunications and Information Administration releases billions of dollars in federal funding to advance digital equity through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in the next five years, there will be a growing need to understand and measure the impact of this public funding. Furthermore, while there is a growing understanding among philanthropic and other funders about why digital equity matters these same stakeholders lack the evidence needed to show the impact of their investments. A clearly articulated, rigorous, and accessible framework to measure the work of digital inclusion coalitions can further support the development, implementation, and evolution of these efforts to promote universal broadband, deliver new opportunities, and strengthen communities across the country.
The Digital Equity Ecosystems Measurement (DEEM) project aims to support the development, implementation, and evolution of place-based coalitions working to advance digital equity, inclusion, and justice in their communities. The goal is to develop a shared measurement framework and openly accessible tools that can be used by digital inclusion coalitions to improve and advance their work to promote digital equity. The Digital Equity Ecosystem Measurement project is supported with federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds allocated to the New York State Library by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Growing Healthy Digital Equity Ecosystems During COVID-19 and Beyond. We define Digital Equity Ecosystems as interactions between individuals, populations, communities, and their larger sociotechnical environments that all play a role in shaping the digital inclusion work in local communities to promote more equitable access to technology and social and racial justice. Our research in this area seeks to understand the impact of COVID-19 on individuals and families without household internet access and how digital inclusion coalitions across the nation have responded in turn. The goal of the study is to provide data and evidence to help local, state, and federal policymakers in the U.S. develop more effective digital equity strategies nationwide. Findings from the study will also be useful for key stakeholders working to promote digital equity and racial justice in communities struggling with poverty during COVID-19 and after the pandemic ends. The publication of the first phase of our research was supported by the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society.
Measuring Library Broadband Networks for the National Digital Platform. This research project in partnership with Measurement Lab (M-Lab) at Code for Science & Society and Internet2 examines how advanced broadband measurement capabilities can support the infrastructure and services needed to respond to the digital demands of public library users across the U.S. The project will gather quantitative and qualitative data from public libraries across the country to 1) understand the broadband speeds and quality of service that public libraries receive; 2) assess how well broadband service and infrastructure are supporting their communities’ digital needs; 3) understand broadband network usage and capacity; and 4) increase their knowledge of networked services and connectivity needs. The project deliverables include an open source and replicable broadband measurement platform, training manual to help public librarians use that platform, and a final report on the project. The project was funded by a grant (award #LG-71-18-0110-18) from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.
At the Edges of the National Digital Platform: Rural Library Hotspot Lending Programs. This research project in partnership with researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and Oklahoma State University will examine how rural libraries address the challenges of Internet connectivity with hotspot lending programs. The project will gather qualitative and quantitative data from 24 rural libraries with hotspot lending program experience, focusing on the librarians involved with the program, the users of the program, local community stakeholders, and non-users. Research outcomes will address the role of rural libraries in local information ecosystems, the impact of hotspot lending programs on users’ quality of life and digital literacy, community outcomes of these programs, and practical requirements for offering hotspot lending programs. Deliverables for the project include a guidelines document on program implementation, a short report on rural Internet connectivity and libraries, and a final research report. The project was funded by a grant (award #RE-31-16-0014-16) from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Multiple Case Study Analysis of U.S. Broadband Adoption Initiatives. The research seeks to fill a gap in the literature on local broadband adoption initiatives that are incorporating low-cost broadband Internet service, public access to computers, and digital literacy training. In order to fully serve their communities, innovative organizations are working with local partners to increase broadband adoption. Broadband adoption has been defined as an individual’s ability to purchase broadband Internet service at home. While there are plenty of studies to show how libraries and other community-based organizations serve community members through public access to computers and digital literacy training, there is less evidence to show how organizations in local communities are working together to support people’s ability to adopt broadband Internet at home, while also providing public computing access and digital literacy training. This study seeks to address this gap by conducting interviews with administrators, staff, and community members involved in local broadband adoption initiatives in order to gain a deeper understanding of what role these programs play in helping community members to adopt high-speed Internet service at home. The research was funded by a grant from the Benton Foundation.