Features Summary Report of the Open Development Workshop

 

 

Guest Editors for special edition of ITID: Michael Clarke, IDRC, Ben Petrazzini, IDRC; Matthew Smith, IDRC

 

 

 

A recent document entitled “Open ICT4D,” [1] inspired by observations in the field, as well as by recent theoretical writings, set out the hypothesis that the appropriate application of “open” principles can catalyze the connecting and communicating power of ICTs to enable social, economic, and political development. Openness is understood as a range of social activities that favor more access, participation, and collaboration. These principles guide us toward more inclusive, participatory, and collaborative social relationships between actors (governments, citizens, civil society groups, businesses, etc.). The hypothesis states that these open social arrangements provide the context within which the enabling mechanisms of ICTs can be most effectively catalyzed.

 

This call for papers seeks to test and refine the above hypothesis by bringing together expert views and evidence concerning the following points:

 

We seek papers that conceptually and empirically target the different dimensions of openness: access, participation, and collaboration, as well as their applications/implications for development in different domains. The papers are intended to provide a reference point for researchers interested in the enabling role that new technologies play in new forms of social, economic, and political development through the provision of theory, empirical case examples, and the development of salient research questions on the topic.

 

This call for papers, therefore, invites researchers to submit abstracts proposing theoretical and empirical papers that address one or several of the following themes and questions:

 

Linking Openness and Development

Openness and Enabling Context

Domain Specific Empirical Examples

 

 

If you are interested in participating in this inquiry, please submit an extended abstract of 400-600 words, outlining the main issues, hypotheses, and structure of the paper. Please also submit full contact details to msmith@idrc.ca by July 20, 2009. Accepted formats are Microsoft Word (.doc), rtf, and OpenDocument (ODF). In August, successful candidates will be invited to submit a 6,000 to 8,000 word paper by November 30, as well as to present their findings at a conference to be held at the International Development Research Centre in Ottawa, planned for May 6-7, 2010. It is anticipated that the IDRC will be able to cover travel and accommodation costs. Subject to peer review, selected papers will be published in an edited volume through a reputable commercial publisher. Quality pending, a select few will then be nominated for a special edition in the open journal Information Technologies and International Development. They should, therefore, contain original material.

 

 

 

 

 

 

For further information, please contact Matthew Smith: msmith@idrc.ca.

 

 

 

Since 1970, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) has been committed to advancing the role of information in development. A tradition of innovation that began with an emphasis on building databases and information systems has evolved into a focus on the transformative nature of information and communication technologies (ICTs). The ICT4D program funds interdisciplinary research projects that address several of its priority themes related to key development areas, such as education, health, governance, livelihoods, the environment, and gender.