Broadening Participation

The Broadening Participation Working Group (BWG) is committed to community and public engagement, raising public awareness, and engaging with students and other community organizations within the context of spectrum and wireless technology and research. The goal of the working group is to increase spectrum awareness and empower students and early career professionals to pursue spectrum-related careers. Through its targeted projects, including Broadband MAPUS and its support of center-wide activities overseen by other working groups, the BWG aims to provide opportunities for all to learn more and get involved. In this way, the BWG supports the cultivation of the next generation of spectrum experts and leaders by providing extended access to education resources and hands-on experiences.

The BWG has three tracks to help achieve its goals: 

Public Awareness – To expose opportunities in spectrum to a wider audience, it is first necessary to cultivate a broad awareness of spectrum use, research, and policy. Many may not be aware of the radio frequency spectrum generally, so the BWG’s outreach efforts can serve as a crucial introduction to this area of study. By increasing the general public’s understanding of what spectrum is and the critical ways spectrum technology impacts our daily lives, the BWG can encourage a wider range of individuals to consider pursuing spectrum-related educational and career paths.

Student Engagement – Providing opportunities for students to learn about spectrum issues and to participate in spectrum research is essential to broadening participation. It allows students to build critical skills and develop further interest in their field of study. The BWG facilitates opportunities for students to engage with center researchers and projects to gain this important knowledge and hands-on experience. As the center grows, the BWG also focuses on recruiting member institutions that can help enhance the center’s research resources, geographic reach, and student talent, which ultimately maximizes student engagement opportunities.

Professional Advancement – It is not enough to encourage more people to engage with the spectrum; to truly expand participation, the center must provide team members and affiliates with meaningful support and opportunities for professional development. By fostering growth through mentorship opportunities, workshops, and training programs, the BWG gives center members the tools they need to build networks, collaborate effectively, develop leadership skills, and succeed in their spectrum-related roles.