Colleagues, With apologies for cross postings: Call for Paper Proposals Digital Diversity: Serving the Public Interest in the Age of Broadband A by-invitation experts' workshop to be held at Fordham University, Lincoln Center Campus May 3-5, 2011 As the delivery of mediated content experiences an historic transformation with the transition to delivery over broadband networks, some policy goals of media regulation remain the same. Central among them is the public interest goal of ensuring diversity. Promoting diversity in broadcasting has been a pillar of media regulation, but online there is no "spectrum scarcity," the foundation of broadcast regulation, no licensing and arguably no "mass media" at all. As a result, the customary tools for promotion of diversity must be reinvented. Broadband is a radically different environment in which the provision of unregulated content may have far more impact than traditionally-regulated television and radio. New theoretical constructs and mechanisms are needed to address issues such as "voice," economic equity, and serving un-served and underserved communities. Minorities are creatively exploring new online tools for community building, communications, and business opportunities. How can the public interest standard be applied to support them in this new context? The Institute for Information Policy at Penn State University and the Donald McGannon Communication Research Center at Fordham University are pleased to announce this call for paper proposals in which diversity enhancement in broadband networks serves as the main theme. Authors of the selected papers will be invited to present and discuss them during a three day by-invitation-only experts workshop de-signed to bring together up to a dozen American and international experts and to be held at the Lincoln Center Campus of Fordham University in New York City. This workshop is part of a series of events focused on "Making Policy Research Accessible," organized by the IIP, with the support of the Ford Foundation. Invited topics include, but are not limited to: Changing concepts of diversity in the 21st century Comparative notions of diversity and changing demographics Defining and measuring the scope and desired outcomes of broadband diversity policy Diversity, new media, social media, and opportunities on the Internet Diversity and Internet entrepreneurship Diversity and network neutrality Diversity and community websites and media (e.g., community online newspapers) Minorities embedded in major media enterprises in content creation and as performers Cultural/linguistic/racial/gender/religious diversity - are they all being served? The marketplace of ideas and diversity Abstracts of up to 500 words and a short bio of the author(s) should be submitted to pennstateiip@psu.edu by January 31, 2011. Please write IIPDMCWS: YOUR NAME in the subject line. Accepted presenters will be notified by March 1, 2011. Richard Taylor Palmer Chair of Telecommunication Studies and Law Institute for Information Policy The Pennsylvania State University