Intervention or collaboration? redesigning information and communication technologies for development

Anna Bon

Research output: ThesisDoctoral ThesisExternal prepared

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Abstract

How can we design and build digital technologies for and together with people in poor areas of the world, for goals chosen by themselves? And can we do this in a way that is inclusive and ethical and fits within their own living environment - which is usually dynamic and complex? Based on experience and data from fieldwork carried out by a team of researchers over ten years in West Africa, this research project presents a new method for innovation, based on collaboration between end users and developers. In multicultural teams, different areas of knowledge (global, local, indigenous, academic, non-academic knowledge) are combined and innovative systems are developed to solve complex problems – related to for example food security or local trade - which can only be solved in close collaboration. This method not only brings ethical principles of dialogue and cooperation into the design process, but also ensures that technology is adapted to the complex circumstances, locally
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • Maastricht University
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Wyatt, Sally, Supervisor
  • Akkermans, H., Supervisor, External person
Award date15 Dec 2020
Place of PublicationAmsterdam
Publisher
Print ISBNs9789078289241
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Keywords

  • CT for Development
  • innovation
  • collaboration
  • adaptation
  • knowledge sharing
  • rural communities in West Africa
  • ethics
  • complex contexts

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