Dr. Gregory Taylor and Dr. Catherine Middleton Publish Frequencies

Dr. Gregory Taylor of UCalgary and Dr. Catherine Middleton of Ryerson Univeristy published their co-edited book, Frequencies: International Spectrum Policy (McGill-Queen's UP) last May. This book investigates the radio spectrum - the essential, invisible element of all mobile communication. In this volume, Dr. Taylor and Dr. Middleton bring together diverse national perspectives to explore the current and future state of spectrum governance across the globe. Frequencies presents case studies of spectrum governance from countries such as Finland, Mexico, New Zealand, India, and Canada. The book also offers forward-thinking approaches to our use of radio frequencies that encourage greater public benefit and technological advancement. Contributors to Frequencies represent a diverse selection of disciplinary backgrounds, united by the common goal of maximizing the radio spectrum's value and accessibility as a public good. Overall, Frequencies seeks to broaden the discussion about the management of the radio spectrum - a resource necessary for communication worldwide. 

Dr. Taylor is an Associate Professor in CMF. He teaches Introduction to Communication and Media Studies, as well as courses on telecommunication policy, and global and Canadian culture industries.

We caught up with Dr. Taylor earlier this month and asked for some more details about this book:

What is this book's significance to the public and wider academia?

Spectrum is the avenue upon which we transmit mobile data that is a defining feature of this young century. The decisions we make now concerning spectrum management will determine substantial communication power dynamics for decades to come. Governments worldwide must assess their society's particular needs, and the best route to achieve these goals in a rapidly changing technological environment. Spectrum is a constantly morphing policy puzzle. Frequencies offers a unique perspective: a collection of original, independent academic research on spectrum policy from scholars working in different disciplines, representing various corners of the globe. By its nature, the field of spectrum policy incorporates economics, political science, communications studies, history, engineering, science, and technology studies. [Frequencies] appears to be the first book ever published that takes a multinational, multidisciplinary approach to the study of spectrum.

What was the process like arranging this book's content?

Frequencies has eleven chapters with case studies from seven different countries. Frequencies also contains contributions from a range of disciplines (engineering, economics, communication studies) that rarely find themselves contained in the same volume. That posed challenges, but [Dr. Middleton and I] believe[d] it was worth it to capture the range of perspectives required for a more thorough examination of global spectrum policy.

How important was collaboration in getting this book published?

[Dr. Middleton and I] worked [together] for three years to see this book through to publication. [I] also contributed a chapter. The organizing and editing of the book was truly a collaborative effort.

(Contributors to Frequencies include Marko Ala-Fossi, Martin Cave, Peter Cramton, Linda Doyle, Tim Forde, Marcela Gomez, Rekha Jain, Zita Joyce, Benjamin Klass, Michael Marcus, Judith Mariscal, Prabir Neogi, Steve Song, Gregory Taylor, William Webb, and Martin B.H. Weiss.)