IC2 Institute

Proud to have partnered with Texas State Library and Archives Commission on this project. Libraries continue to meet critical needs in our communities!

Today we are pleased to announce the release of a new report, "Texas Public Libraries: Serving Communities to Enhance Digital Literacy."

Expanding the ability of individuals to access and use information and communication technologies is increasingly crucial for Texas citizens, communities, and economic success. This digital capacity is achieved through building digital literacy skills; providing access to affordable, robust Internet services; having quality technical support, as well as access to hardware and software; and making available services that augment digital connectivity.

The report documents the many ways Texas public libraries are providing both formal and informal digital literacy training to their communities. According to the findings, these efforts account for approximately $70 to $90 million in statewide investment by the state’s libraries.

Read more and access the full report: https://www.tsl.texas.gov/digitalsurvey2023

Created through a partnership with IC2 Institute at The University of Texas at Austin and made possible by support of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to support digital access and literacy in communities throughout the state.

"I saw it on TikTok."

IC2 Institute Director S. Craig Watkins will be presenting, "Where Do Youth Get Health Care Information on Social Media" at the Adolescent Health Symposium hosted by People's Community Clinic on March 22. Health care providers, young people, and adolescent health care experts will be tackling a variety of subjects: teen legal rights, navigating difficult conversations, accessing health care information, and more.

Additional information/RSVP here: http://ow.ly/8YmL50NipXY

Many thanks to Jacki Hecht, managing director of UT Austin's Center for Health Equity Research (HER) and Angela Bigham, health and wellness ministry leader at Rehoboth Baptist Church Austin Baptist Church, for discussing their highly successful AMEN program at our IC2 Institute monthly lab meeting this week.

AMEN — African American Mental Health and Wellness Program — delivers mental health training and education through Austin church pastors and lay leaders. Funded by Austin Public Health, AMEN is a collaborative effort spearheaded by University of Texas Austin School of Nursing. Learn more about AMEN here: http://ow.ly/ronp50Mwqvk

According to Hecht, 25% of people who seek help with mental health issues approach their pastors — not mental health professionals — first. By tapping into the rich tradition of African American churches supporting their members, AMEN is creating a sustainable community health infrastructure.

One of the biggest lessons learned so far: Mind/body/spirit/social health — it's all interconnected and needs an integrated approach. We're looking forward to future conversations with Jacki and Angela as we explore the pillars of a Well-being Economy and new ways to deliver healthcare.

Watch Wenhong Chen, P.h.D. and Joseph Staubhaar, P.h.D. discuss their research of how rural entrepreneurs operate in media wilderness regions of Texas https://ic2.utexas.edu/videos/14611/

Rural entrepreneurs are media omnivores advertising both digitally and locally, but often for two distinct purposes, according to new research from Wenhong Chen, Ph.D. and Joseph Straubhaar, Ph.D., from the Faculty Research Program at the institute.

Zumba, Facebook, and TikTok: Creative ways rural Texas entrepreneurs make up for lack of local media - The IC² Institute (This post is based on research supported by the IC2 Institute entitled “Bloom or Gloom in the Media Wilderness” that focuses on the decline of legacy

We are excited to announce our newest Advisory Board member, Dr. Chiquita Collins, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer; Associate Professor/Research within the Department of Population Health Sciences at UT Health San Antonio. UT Health San Antonio -beingeconomy
https://ic2.utexas.edu/news/dr-chiquita-a-co…s-advisory-board/

Dr. Chiquita A. Collins joins Advisory Board - The IC² Institute The IC2 Institute announces the appointment of new Advisory Board Member Dr. Chiquita A. Collins, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and

“There used to be more of a sense of community here.” Read one or our PhD student’s perspective on how a lack of solidarity is affecting rural Texas towns.

What Happens When A Small Town Lacks Solidarity? - The IC² Institute Solidarity can be loosely defined as the ties that bind people together in a community or society. Often, in communities experiencing profound economic

Why does a pitch get funded? Research led by Dr. Clay Spinuzzi with the institute's Dr. Greg Pogue share some of the science behind landing a pitch in a recent article in Business Insider. https://ic2.utexas.edu/the-innovative-pitch/ Business Insider

The Innovative Pitch - The IC² Institute Our society is enthralled with “pitching” or the public presentation of innovative ideas. At the dawn of the technology revolution in the 1980’s, the

The IC2 Institute is excited to announce the continued funding by Travis County of the Readiness Training Program for Historically Underutilized Businesses (RTP for HUBs). The funding is for training for Funnel I (start up/young) and Funnel II (more mature) business participants of the RTP for HUBs. Classes and workshops for Funnel I start in mid-November 2022. Funnel II begins in late Spring 2023. A special thank you to Travis County for their on-going support of this effort that seeks to enhance the contracting opportunities of minority and women-owned businesses in the Austin region. County Commissioner Jeff Travillion City of Austin Government

New UT-Austin Training Program for HUBs – Smallbiz The Travis County Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Program and the University of Texas at Austin run a two-part readiness training program for HUBs. Funnel One training is for established firms that want to enhance capacity and seek contracting or business opportunities. Funnel Two training...

Today’s blog: How the 5 Ds (Distance, Diversity, Dilution, Demand and Disengagement) affect community growth and resilience - https://ic2.utexas.edu/the-5-ds-for-finding-and-fixing-community-clogs/

Does growth always mean change? Today's blog discusses how communities can find common ground in the economic development debate.

Debating Economic Development on Common Ground - The IC² Institute written by Maclain Scott, PhD Candidate, UT Austin It makes sense to associate economic development with change and the discomfort that often accompanies