Jean Hardy
Bio
Jean Hardy is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Media & Information where he leads the Rural Computing Research Consortium and serves as a Research Fellow at the Quello Center. His research areas include: rural computing, science and technology studies (STS), computer supported cooperative work (CSCW), and rural studies. His research focus primarily revolves around the role of technology in rural economic and community development. Some current projects in this area focus on: the role of the high-tech economy in rural economic development; the downstream impacts of technological innovation in rural communities and people; the adoption and use of information technology in community-based agricultural organizations; and policy and design interventions for promoting digital resilience in face of changing broadband policy landscapes. He also does research on the use and design of collaborative technologies, particularly among rural LGBTQ people and in hybrid school settings. His work has been funded by the Spencer Foundation, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Merit Network. He holds a Doctorate and Master of Science in Information from the University of Michigan School of Information, and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Theory from the University of Washington.