Dear Scholars,
Internet access is at the heart of American life. Broadband infrastructure provides access to employment, economic development, education, healthcare, and more. The Internet is the backbone of our economy and our society, and it intersects with nearly all areas of law.
Broadband infrastructure and internet access are timely and pressing topics; the historic lack of internet access is leaving many rural communities behind. Without the Internet, rural and low-income households are deprived critical access to remote work, online education, and telehealth. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted these existing issues and brought a new focus on how to solve them.
Congress and the White House are addressing some these issues through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, which includes $65 billion to expand broadband access in communities across the U.S., create more low-cost broadband service options, subsidize the cost of service for low-income households, and provide funding to address the digital equity and inclusion needs of our communities.
The Indiana Law Review (ILR) cordially invites you to submit an article manuscript for publication consideration in ILR’s Volume 56 Symposium Issue and/or a presentation topic for consideration to participate in the Symposium on November 11, 2022. ILR is seeking articles and presentations from diverse scholars in various areas of law that examine and even reimagine broadband deployment and access. We are deeply interested in submissions that provide solutions which rise to the occasion of the challenges faced.
Topics for articles or presentations may include, but are not limited to:
● Intersection between broadband and other social determinants of health (safe/affordable healthcare, access to healthcare, telehealth opportunities, and economic stability)
● Intersection between broadband and social determinants of education (online education and higher-ed opportunities)
● Internet access and the justice system (Zoom court)
● Racial justice, social justice, and equity in broadband policy
● Local, state, and federal roles in funding broadband infrastructure investments
● Innovation in broadband infrastructure and internet policy
● Reimagining broadband infrastructure and internet access for the future
● Land use/zoning issues in broadband infrastructure
● Historical approaches to broadband policy
● Diverging broadband needs between urban and rural communities
● Broadband’s impact on economic development
Papers should be between 5,000–20,000 words. Most submissions are around 12,000 words. Please reach out to ILR’s Symposium Editor, Alexandra Jones, via email at ajones22@indiana.edu with any questions or to submit paper and/or presentation topics.