Is a Transformative ICT4D possible?& how would we know it if we saw it

Uncritical ICT4D

Influential reviews of the field of ICT4D have identified as problematic

under-theorisation of development, uncritical assumptions about relationship of ICT to

Dev,& insufficient participation of 'intended beneficiaries'

Avgerou (2008, 2010) Walsham (2006, 2013) Chamberlain (2012) Heeks (2002) Gao and Gunawong (2014)

Critical ICT4D

Alternative approaches are emerging thatunpack the D in ICT4D (Kleine, 2010)

apply critical theory to ICT4D (Unwin, 2009)& assess participatory possibilities of ICT4D

Heeks (2009)

but so far this remains a minority approach and not one that is widely understood.

Transformative Potential

Ineke Buskens developed a framework for assessing the

Transformative Potentialof research approaches to gender and development

I propose a modified framework for assessing the Transformative Potential

of ICT4D practice and projects

Habermas' Knowledge Constitutive Interests

Human Interest

ResearchParadigm Research

Methods

Technical- Control

Empirical-Analytical Quantitative

Communicative-Understanding

Interpretive-Hermeneutic Qualitative

Emancipation from Domination

Critical- Emancipatory

(Participatory)Action

Research

(Habermas, 1972) Unwin (2009) Buskens (2014)

Buskens' Framework for Gender & Dev' Research

ResearchParadigm Research

Methods

Empirical Analytical Quantitative

Interpretive Hermeneutic

Qualitative

Critical Emancipatory

(Participatory) Action

Research

Buskens' Framework for Gender & Dev' Research

Conformist – understanding to cope with unequal social relations Reformist – understanding to reform social relations without challenging structural causesTransformist – tackles the structural causes of inequality

Conformist Intent Reformist

IntentTransformist

Intent(Buskens, 2014)

Empirical Analytical

Interpretive Hermeneutic

Critical Emancipatory

(Habermas, 1972)

Buskens' Framework for Gender & Dev' Research

Conformist – understanding to cope with unequal social relations Reformist – understanding to reform social relations without challenging structural causesTransformist – tackles the structural causes of inequality

Conformist Intent Reformist

IntentTransformist

Intent(Buskens, 2014)

Empirical Analytical Quantitative Quantitative Quantitative

Interpretive Hermeneutic

Qualitative Qualitative Qualitative

Critical Emancipatory

(Participatory)Action

Research

(Participatory)Action

Research

(Participatory)Action

Research

(Habermas, 1972)

Topology of ICT4D initiatives

Conformist – initiatives intent on better cope with unequal social relations Reformist – initiatives intent on reforming social relations without challenging structural causesTransformist – initiatives intent on tackling the structural causes of inequality

Conformist Intent Reformist

IntentTransformist

Intent(Buskens, 2014)

Technical – Control Interest

Communicative – Understandng

Interest

Emancipatory Interest in

Overcoming Domination

(Habermas, 1972)

Topology of ICT4D initiatives

Conformist Intent Reformist

IntentTransformist

Intent(Buskens, 2014)

Technical – Control Interest

Top-DownTechno-Centric

Practice

Communicative – Understandng

Interest Info & Comms-

CentricPractice

Emancipatory Interest in

Overcoming Domination

Bottom-UpPeople-Centred Emancipatory

Practice

(Habermas, 1972)

Topology of ICT4D initiatives

Conformist Intent Reformist

IntentTransformist

Intent(Buskens, 2014)

Techno-CentricPractice

eGovHMISOLPC

Top-DownTechno-Centric

Practice

Info & Comms-CentricPractice

EsokoOpen Data

Info & Comms-CentricPractice

People-Centred Emancipatory

Practice

Community Informatics

Reflect ICTs

Twaweza

Bottom-Up

People-Centred Emancipatory

Practice

(Habermas, 1972)

Critical ICT4D combines Transformative Intent with Emancipatory Practice

Conformist Intent Reformist

IntentTransformist

Intent(Buskens, 2014)

Techno-CentricPractice

Info & Comms-CentricPractice

People-Centred Emancipatory

Practice

CRITICAL ICT4D

(Habermas, 1972)

Thank You

Tony Roberts @phat_controller

appropriatingtechnology.org

References:

Avgerou, Chrisanthi (2008) Information Systems in Developing countries: a critical research review. Journal of Information Technology, 23 (3), 133–146.

Beardon, Hannah (2004) ICT for Development: Empowerment or Exploitation? Learning from the Reflect ICTs Project, London, Action Aid Publications.

Buskens, Ineke (2014) Developing the Capacity for Gender Awareness in Development Research, IDRC.

Heeks, Richard (2002) Failure, Success and Improvisation of Informations Systems Projects in Developing Countries, Development Informatics Working Paper Series, No.11 Manchester: IDPM. Accessed 12/10/14

Heeks, Richard (2009a) Participatory Design Problems in ICT4D: The Low Self-Efficacy  Issue,

Kleine, Dorothea (2010) ICT4WHAT?: using the Choice Framework to operationalise the capability approach to development, Journal of Int. Development, Vol.22 (5).

Molyneux, Maxine (1985) Mobilisation Without Emancipation, Feminist Studies, 227-254

Unwin (2009) ICT4D, Cambridge University Press.

Walsham, Geoff (2013) Development Informatics in a Changing World: Reflections from ICTD2010/2012, Information Technologies and International Development, 9 (1)

Zheng, Yingqin & Stahl, Bernd (2011) Technology, capabilities and critical perspectives: what can critical theory contribute to Sen’s capability approach?, Ethics of Information Technology, Vol.13:69–80.