Advancing Digital Equity Through Participatory Action Research Collaborations

Amid ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide, a collaborative research initiative highlights the effectiveness of participatory action research (PAR) in promoting digital equity as a social justice issue. Despite the significant recognition of digital equity within the realm of social justice, there remains a scarcity of academic exploration on the role of PAR in fostering partnerships between researchers and practitioners to achieve this goal.

An insightful study, derived from findings initially published in a 2023 white paper, delves into the practical application of PAR within a research project, aiming to address a key question: How does a researcher-practitioner collaboration through PAR contribute to advancing digital equity? Evidence for this study was meticulously gathered from the project team's meeting minutes, offering a structured reflection on the utility of PAR in guiding collaborative efforts over an eleven-month span.

The study emphasizes the need to fill the void in current digital equity literature by examining the collaborative dynamics of using PAR. Researchers and practitioners working together found significant value in employing PAR to develop a theory of change. This finding is particularly relevant in light of the substantial $65 billion investment earmarked for universal broadband infrastructure and digital equity in the United States over the coming five years. The study stresses the importance of ensuring that communities most affected by the digital divide are actively involved in formulating solutions to the challenges identified in the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act of 2021.