Understanding Alaska and Alaskans is fundamental to shaping the state’s future. In 1961, Alaska’s Second State Legislature acknowledged the importance of this research mission and understood how it would inform policy and critical decisions facing the new state. This led to the creation of the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER). Since then, ISER research has contributed to just about every public policy topic in the state, including the Arctic, natural resources, education, telecommunications, the Permanent Fund, fisheries, health care and – of course – Alaska’s economy.
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Heather Hudson will discuss her new book, Connecting Alaskans: Telecommunications in Alaska from Telegraph to Broadband, on Monday, October 26, from 5 to 7 in Room 307 of the UAA/APU Consortium Library. Dr. Hudson is an affiliate professor of communications policy at ISER and was ISER's director from 2010 to 2012. This is a UAA Campus Bookstore event, and it is free and open to the public.
Connecting Alaskans, published by the University of Alaska Press in September 2015, describes the history of extending communication services—telephone, radio, television, and the Internet—throughout rural Alaska. The book analyzes successful policies and strategies to serve Alaska’s remote regions, and describes how Alaskans’ innovation, advocacy, and persistence helped connect more than 200 isolated villages. It also discusses the role of telecommunications in Alaska’s rural development.
Free parking for this event is in the Library Lot, Library NE Lot , and the East Garage (see map). For more information, get in touch with Rachel Epstein at 907-786-4782 or repstein2@uaa.alaska.edu.
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A new book by Heather Hudson, an ISER fellow and former director, documents the history of telecommunications in Alaska over a century, from the beginnings of telegraph communications through the spread of broadband today. Dr. Hudson describes the considerable challenges of bringing reliable telecommunications to a huge state with hundreds of small isolated communities, difficult terrain, and harsh weather. The 380-page book is available in both printed and electronic versions from the publisher, the University of Alaska Press.
For ordering information, please visit Connecting Alaskans.
Professor Hudson can be reached at hehudson@uaa.alaska.edu.
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A new book by Heather Hudson, an ISER fellow and former director, documents the history of telecommunications in Alaska over a century, from the beginnings of telegraph communications through the spread of broadband today. Dr. Hudson describes the considerable challenges of bringing reliable telecommunications to a huge state with hundreds of small isolated communities, difficult terrain, and harsh weather. The 380-page book is available in both printed and electronic versions from the publisher, the University of Alaska Press.
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A new study by ISER researchers Heather Hudson, Suzanne Sharp, and Alexandra Hill describes how businesses, government agencies, and schools are using broadband that is now available in much of southwest Alaska. The results are based on a telephone survey of private and public organizations in the region.
Download the report (PDF, 643.8KB). If you have questions, get in touch with Dr. Heather Hudson at hehudson@uaa.alaska.edu.
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Dr. Heather E. Hudson, professor of communications policy at ISER, will chair a workshop providing current information on broadband plans and policy issues for rural Alaska, with panels on technology projects and opportunities in microwave, optical fiber, wireless, and satellite; and policy issues such as state initiatives, federal programs, and U.S. Arctic Council proposals.
When: Monday, December 15, 2014 @ 1:00 pm to 4:45 pm
Where: Diplomacy Building 301, 4500 Diplomacy Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508
Registration: The registration fee is $75. Please register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/alaska-rural-broadband-workshop-tickets-14434551131.
If you are outside Anchorage and wish to participate by teleconference, please contact Prof. Heather Hudson at hehudson@uaa.alaska.edu.
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Heather Hudson, professor of public policy at ISER, is a co-author of an article about advocating for indigenous regulatory authority in Canada's far north, recently published in the Journal of Information Policy. Download the article (pdf, 194.8KB).
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Many recent developments in telecommunications provide opportunities for Alaska, particularly for Alaska Native and tribal organizations, business and institutional users, public sector agencies, and consumers.
This seminar, held on March 28, provided a concise overview of these developments, with links to additional information.
The seminar was conducted by Dr. Heather E. Hudson, professor of communications policy at the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) at UAA. She has conducted many studies on telecommunications in the North, and is completing a book entitled Connecting Alaskans: From Telegraph to Broadband, to be published by the University of Alaska Press.
Download the presentation (PDF, 3.5MB)
If you were not able to attend, but are interested in future ISER broadband activities and research, please send a message with “Broadband” in the subject line to UAA_ISER@uaa.alaska.edu.
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A report on current Internet connectivity and access to and use of information and communication technologies in rural southwest Alaska is now available.
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After three years as director of ISER, Heather Hudson has decided to step down at the end of 2012. Gunnar Knapp, a professor of economics at ISER, has been appointed interim director effective January 1, 2013.
Heather Hudson will be on leave during spring 2013, writing a book on the history of telecommunications in Alaska and carrying out other research projects before returning to the ISER faculty later in the year. Dr. Hudson came to ISER from the University of San Francisco, where she founded the Telecommunications Management and Policy Program.