Events
Applying Complexity Theory to Improve Communications Policy Workshop
March 30, 2009, 9:00 am-6:00 pm | Georgetown University, McShain Lounge Small, McCarthy Hall, Washington, D.C.
Digitization, convergence, and policy change have transformed information and communication industries to dynamic, open, complex adaptive systems. Traditional methods of regulatory and policy analysis, being based on theories that fail to recognize the manifold direct and indirect feedback effects that exist in advanced ICT, fail in designing effective policies to harness their enormous potential.
Approaches based on the perspective of complex adaptive systems have great promise for the development of superior policies. A growing number of researchers and practitioners have recognized this potential and for the past few years explored the relevance, but also the possible limitations, of applying complexity theory to shape communications policy. This workshop will bring together experts from academia, industry, government, and civic society to share cutting edge recent research and derive specific lessons for public policy.
The morning will be dedicated to presentations and discussion reviewing current developments in the theory of complex adaptive systems and their relevance for communications policy. In the afternoon, the group will apply this knowledge to a specific current issue of communications policy with the goal to work out specific and tangible lessons. We hope to produce a brief report based on the workshop and possibly publish background paper contributions as a special journal issue.
Johannes M. Bauer, Michigan State University
Barbara A. Cherry, Indiana University
D. Linda Garcia, Georgetown University
Patricia H. Longstaff, Syracuse University
Volker Schneider, University of Konstanz
Ellen Surles, Booz Allen Hamilton
Agenda
9:00-9:10 Welcome and workshop goals
Johannes M. Bauer, Michigan State University
9:10-11:00 Theoretical foundations and contributions
*What can complexity theory explain that other theories cannot
*How to develop policies under uncertainty characteristic of complex adaptive systems (adaptability, resilience, sustainability)
Facilitator: Barbara A. Cherry, Indiana University
11:00-11:30 Break
11:30-1:00 Models and tools to analyze complex adaptive systems
*Modeling issues
*Using empirical data
Facilitator: Ellen Surles, Booz Allen Hamilton
1:00-2:00 Working lunch
*Break-out discussions “Applying complexity theory to the development of a U.S. national broadband strategy”
2:00-2:30 Break
2:30-4:00 Policy application: applying complexity theory to the development of a U.S. national broadband strategy
*Innovation policy
*Funding for broadband infrastructure
*Network neutrality
*Lessons from other nations’ broadband strategies
Facilitator: Patricia H. Longstaff, Syracuse University
4:00-4:30 Break
4:30-6:00 Communication with policy-makers and shaping a research agenda
*How to communicate a complexity theory perspective to a broader audience
*Developing a research agenda
Facilitator: D. Linda Garcia, Georgetown University
5:50-6:00 Concluding remarks
Volker Schneider, University of Konstanz
