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 that unpack 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 Potential of 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 Research Paradigm 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 Research Paradigm Research Methods Empirical Analytical Quantit ative 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 causes Transformist – tackles the structural causes of inequality Conformist Intent Reformist Intent Transformist 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 causes Transformist – tackles the structural causes of inequality Conformist Intent Reformist Intent Transformist Intent (Buskens, 2014) Empirical Analytical Quantitative Interpretive Hermeneutic Qualitative Critical Emancipatory (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 causes Transformist – initiatives intent on tackling the structural causes of inequality Conformist Intent Reformist Intent Transformist Intent (Buskens, 2014) Technical – Control Interest Communicative – Understandng Interest Emancipatory Interest in Overcoming Domination (Habermas, 1972)

Topology of ICT4D initiatives Conformist Intent Reformist Intent Transformist Intent (Buskens, 2014) Technical – Control Interest Top-Down Techno-Centric Practice Communicative – Understandng Interest Info & Comms- Centric Practice Emancipatory Interest in Overcoming Domination Bottom-Up People-Centred Emancipatory Practice (Habermas, 1972)

Topology of ICT4D initiatives Conformist Intent Reformist Intent Transformist Intent (Buskens, 2014) Techno-Centric Practice eGov HMIS OLPC Top-Down Techno-Centric Practice Info & Comms- Centric Practice Esoko Open Data Info & Comms- Centric Practice 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 Intent Transformist Intent (Buskens, 2014) Techno-Centric Practice Info & Comms- Centric Practice People-Centred Emancipatory Practice CRITICAL ICT4D (Habermas, 1972)

Thank You Tony 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, 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.