Category: Uncategorized

The mission of the HDIAC is to provide users with focused expert technical consulting and unbiased scientific and technical information through in-depth analysis and the creation of specialized information products in support of eight vital technical focus areas: Homeland Defense and Security (HD), Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (CBRN), Biometrics (BIO), Medical (MED), Cultural Studies (CS), and Alternative Energy (AE).

The goal of content produced by the HDIAC is to emphasize the needs of the user by anticipating and responding to customers’ needs. This will be achieved by anticipating HDIAC user information needs through analysis of the social, political, and technical contexts influencing the course and direction of scientific, technical and operational disciplines or domains which define or influence the needs of the community.

The HDIAC disseminates STI in the form of products and services such as a professional journal; training/webinars; podcasts; research, analysis, and responses to user technical inquiries; models and simulation; briefings; conference presentations; state of the art reports; and service promotion.

Resilient and sustainable communities depend on a thriving business sector, which in turn relies on the well-being of the surrounding community. The purpose of this project is to gather data and support the development of models of business and community resilience and the factors that impact the health and prosperity of businesses within their communities. The models inform decision-making about investments in communities to enable thriving businesses within resilient and sustainable communities.

Abstract: Too often, people think of broadband projects only in terms of communications and computers. Citizen engagement is at least as important as any technology to develop and sustain effective capabilities. The purpose of this project is to support Tribal engagement for the purpose of creating digital opportunity among Tribal Nations. We begin by listening, focusing first on understanding the needs of people and what digital opportunities can meet their needs. The need for enhanced digital opportunity has taken on new urgency during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the need to support online social services ranging from education to DMV appointments. In a collaborative effort led by the People-Centered Internet and supported by Althea Corporation and C-RASC, the project team will work with Tribal leaders to understand their needs from their perspective, to support them in building momentum within their communities, and to follow up to keep systems operational. Mason’s role will consist of: (1) providing the design, production, and assessment criteria for pilot micro-courses delivered via video segments; (2) supporting the creation, documentation, and development into a replicable model of a “help desk” that provides expertise in technology, community engagement, and end user training; and (3) conducting and documenting one or more case studies based on the activities undertaken in this project.