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John Horrigan

John Horrigan

Independent Communications and Technology Policy Consultant

John B. Horrigan, PhD is an independent communications and technology policy consultant. Horrigan's work focuses on consumers' adoption and use of information and communications technologies, as well as ICTs' impacts on states and localities.

John Horrigan worked as Vice President and Director of the Media and Technology Institute, which was founded in 2008 and its mission is to study how emerging communications technologies can become avenues of advancement for the disadvantaged. Before joining the Joint Center, Horrigan was Vice President for Policy and Research at TechNet, where he developed research characterizing the job impacts of mobile applications and written reports on progress on broadband adoption since the delivery of the National Broadband Plan (see “Broadband Adoption in 2012”) and workforce development issues (see “Preparing America’s 21st Century Workforce”).

Prior to joining TechNet, Horrigan was part of FCC Chairman Genachowski’s leadership team tasked with developing the National Broadband Plan (NBP). In that capacity, he developed research agenda for the “Inclusion” portion of the NBP. He also designed and conducted the FCC’s first national survey on broadband adoption and usage. The survey findings were highlighted in the NBP’s first working paper, "Broadband Adoption and Use in America."

Prior to joining the FCC, Mr. Horrigan was Associate Director, Research, with the Pew Internet & American Life Project for nine years, where he studied the online behavior of broadband internet users, mobile internet users, and consumers of other leading edge information technology.

Earlier in his career, Horrigan was a staff officer for the Board on Science, Technology, and Economic Policy at the National Research Council. He also served as press secretary and senior legislative assistant to U.S. Congressman Jake Pickle (D-Texas).

Horrigan received his Ph.D. in public policy from the University of Texas at Austin and his B.A. in government and economics from the University of Virginia.

Recent Events and Presentations

June 17, 2014

Digital Readiness: Rethinking the Digital Divide

ITIF gathers a panel of experts to discuss John Horrigan's recent work on digital readiness and broadband adoption.

March 19, 2014

The National Broadband Plan: Four Years Later

ITIF will host a panel discussing the plan’s implementation, focusing on adoption in vertical markets.

February 12, 2013

The Whole Picture: Where America’s Broadband Networks Really Stand

Examining the state of international broadband comparisons.

November 5, 2009

Policies to Increase Broadband Adoption at Home

ITIF hosts a discussion of the findings of a new study “Demand-Side Programs to Stimulate Adoption of Broadband: What Works?” by Professors Janice Hauge and James E. Prieger. In addition, ITIF releases the report “Policies to Increase Broadband Adoption at Home” that details a number of policy proposals that could significantly spur an increase in broadband adoption.

February 22, 2008

Opportunities and Barriers in Online Shopping

John Horrigan of the Pew Internet & American Life Project discusses the results of a new Pew study examining the prospects and challenges in expanding e-commerce shopping.

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