[SDI-Africa] FW: PhD Scholarships for ICTs & Poverty Research

[Craig von Hagen]

-----Original Message-----
From: African Network of IT Experts and Professionals (ANITEP) List
[mailto:AFRIK-IT at LISTSERV.HEANET.IE] On Behalf Of Dr Richard Heeks
Sent: 11 December 2006 15:03
To: AFRIK-IT at LISTSERV.HEANET.IE
Subject: PhD Scholarships for ICTs & Poverty Research

The University of Manchester's Brooks World Poverty Institute announces a
series
of scholarships for PhD study on poverty analysis starting in academic year
2007/8.  This can include study on the relation between ICTs and poverty.

To be considered for these scholarships, candidates will need to apply to
study
for a PhD via the normal University process (see details at:
http://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/bwpi/postgradchol/).  All components
of
the application must be completed by 31 January 2007.

Application needs to include a PhD proposal written by the candidate.  This
can
relate to any aspect of the relation between ICTs and poverty but must have
a
strong poverty dimension.  The topic areas shown below are for illustrative
purposes only.

Note that the competition for scholarships covers all areas of poverty
research,
not just ICT-related.  Competition is open to all for the four main
scholarships; there are two additional PhD scholarships intended for US and
Sri
Lankan nationals.

Illustrative topic areas for research on the relation between ICTs and
poverty:

- ICTs and poverty reduction: general research on the potential and
actuality of
ICTs to deliver poverty-reducing projects; who actually benefits from such
projects?

- IT outsourcing to poor communities: implications of new business models
that
are outsourcing IT-based work to individual and cooperative enterprises in
poor
communities: who benefits? are these models sustainable and scalable?

- Technologies of connection and social inclusion/exclusion in poor, remote
communities: remote communities are often the seats of chronic poverty yet
they
are gradually being penetrated by "technologies of connection" - roads;
mobile
communications; wi-fi/Internet connectivity.  Do these increase or reduce
the
social exclusion of such communities?

- Mobile communications and poverty: understanding the poverty implications
posed by the growing penetration of mobile technologies into poor
communities.

- ICT infrastructures and poverty: how are the particular needs and
interests of
the poor included or excluded from policy-making and implementation about
information society infrastructures in developing countries?

- Technology, hope and empowerment: we have field and anecdotal evidence
that
involvement with new technologies brings hope to the disempowered poor.  Is
this true; is this a sustainable impact; and what poverty-affecting impact
(if
any) does hope have?

- ICTs, poverty and capabilities: using the lens of Sen's capabilities
approach,
how can we understand the potential of ICTs in impacting the livelihoods of
the
poor?

- Using GIS and other information systems for poverty mapping and analysis:
how
effective are these systems? can their use be linked to positive poverty
outcomes?

For further details, please see:
http://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/bwpi/postgradchol/

Successful candidates would join the University's twelve-strong Development
Informatics Group that researches, consults and teaches on a wide variety of
issues linking ICTs and socio-economic development.  For specific enquiries
about PhD study on ICTs and poverty with the Development Informatics Group,
please contact Dr Richard Duncombe: richard.duncombe at manchester.ac.uk

Do please pass this message on to relevant colleagues.

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