Doctoral Dissertation Research: Workforce Development in the New Digital Economy

The project investigates the varying impacts of technology and digital online spaces on youth populations and workforce development in a digital economy. To understand the impacts of digital tools in workforce development and the future of work, the investigators study how those newly entering the technology workforce develop digital skills and entrepreneurship. The data gathered from the project’s focus on the impacts of digital technology on young workers will expand understanding of Artificial Intelligence adoption. The focus on workforce development will address Advanced Manufacturing particularly to attract, educate, train, and reskill/upskill workers. In addition to training a graduate student in scientific methods of data collection and analysis, the broader impacts and dissemination plans will reach populations across the nation that are entering the workforce in a new digital economy. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.