Welcome to the DeER Project
Purpose—You can use this website to learn about network neutrality and deliberate about this topic with other citizens in an America-wide online discussion. We will forward participants' key comments to the Federal Communication Commission (FCC).
Net neutrality is the issue of whether the Federal Communication Commission should pass new rules to require Internet Service Providers to treat all online communications equally. Proponents and opponents believe that such regulation would fundamentally change the internet. [More About the Project]
Not interested in net neutrality? Sign up to be notified about our future discussion topics. We are developing discussion topics on environmental and transportation issues, such as highway privatization and congestion pricing.
Who We Are—We are university professors conducting a National Science Foundation-funded research project in cooperation with public interest groups and federal agencies.
To Participate—Click below. You need not be familiar with the topic in advance. These deliberations will be opened periodically as participants become available and will remain open for an extended time. Signing up does not obligate you in any way, and you can participate much or little. To view the discussion, sign up.
Why Participate?
- It's Enjoyable and Worthwhile: Talking with other concerned citizens about important issues of the day is interesting, and it will help a worthy cause. [Learn More]
- It's Important: Net neutrality regulation is a vital public policy issue that advocates and opponents believe could fundamentally change the future of the internet. [Learn More]
- Shape Government: This project provides a special opportunity to have your voice heard by government officials regarding net neutrality. Internet petitions are not enough. [Learn More]
- Enhance Citizen Input: Federal agency rulemaking is one of the most substantial yet largely untapped opportunities for American citizens to have a say in how they are governed. [Learn More]
- Improve Citizen Engagement: You will be contributing to scientific research that seeks to find ways to improve the quality and impact of public input into government, improvements that are very much needed. [Learn More]
- Explore Cutting Edge Software: In particular, we are testing cutting-edge software for learning about the topic of network neutrality. [Learn More]
- Test a New Model of Participation: Also, we are testing a new model for public deliberation that holds promise for enhancing citizen influence over government. [Learn More]
Peter Muhlberger, Texas Tech University
Jenny Stromer-Galley, University at Albany
Nick Webb, University at Albany
