[Air-l] influencing digital policy

[Sandra Braman]

Beginning in the 1970s, policy-makers in every
branch of government began to admit that
it was difficult to make laws and regulations
dealing with digital technologies
because they didn't really understand those
technologies, how they were used, and the
effects of those uses.  Members of AOIR
have answers to those questions, but like
other academics find it difficult to get
what they know into the heads and
hands of policy-makers.  Experiences of
scholars of information, communication,
and culture of the past who tried to
bring the scholarly and policy communities
closer together clarify just what those
difficulties are and identify useful and
effective responses or work-arounds.

Those of you who hope that the results of
your research might inform policy-making
may be interested in a recently published
book, COMMUNICATION RESEARCHERS
AND POLICY-MAKING, that reviews the
history of the experience of the field through
the voices of those involved, and
analyzes that history in light of today's
deep need for more informed policy-making.

Information about the book can be found
at
http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?sid=B4469E64-5925-44A2-A5B2-1EE2A1DE2D2D&ttype=2&tid=9622,
and MIT Press will have the book in
its display at the upcoming conference.

Sandra Braman