A knowledge-oriented, context-sensitive architectural framework for service deployment in marginalized rural communities

The notion of a global knowledge society is somewhat of a misnomer due to the fact that large portions of the global community are not participants in this global knowledge society which is driven, shaped by and socio-technically biased towards a small fraction of the global population. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is culture-sensitive and this is a dynamic that is largely ignored in the majority of ICT for Development (ICT4D) interventions, leading to the technological determinism flaw and ultimately a failure of the undertaken projects. The deployment of ICT solutions, in particular in the context of ICT4D, must be informed by the cultural and socio-technical profile of the deployment environments and solutions themselves must be developed with a focus towards context-sensitivity and ethnocentricity. In this thesis, we investigate the viability of a software architectural framework for the development of ICT solutions that are context-sensitive and ethnocentric1, and so aligned with the cultural and social dynamics within the environment of deployment. The conceptual framework, named PIASK, defines five tiers (presentation, interaction, access, social networking, and knowledge base) which allow for: behavioural completeness of the layer components; a modular and functionally decoupled architecture; and the flexibility to situate and contextualize the developed applications along the dimensions of the User Interface (UI), interaction modalities, usage metaphors, underlying Indigenous Knowledge (IK), and access protocols. We have developed a proof-of-concept service platform, called KnowNet, based on the PIASK architecture. KnowNet is built around the knowledge base layer, which consists of domain ontologies that encapsulate the knowledge in the platform, with an intrinsic flexibility to access secondary knowledge repositories. The domain ontologies constructed (as examples) are for the provisioning of eServices to support societal activities (e.g. commerce, health, agriculture, medicine) within a rural and marginalized area of Dwesa, in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The social networking layer allows for situating the platform within the local social systems. Heterogeneity of user profiles and multiplicity of end-user devices are handled through the access and the presentation components, and the service logic is implemented by the interaction components. This services platform validates the PIASK architecture for end-to-end provisioning of multi-modal, heterogeneous, ontology-based services. The development of KnowNet was informed on one hand by the latest trends within service architectures, semantic web technologies and social applications, and on the other hand by the context consideration based on the profile (IK systems dynamics, infrastructure, usability requirements) of the Dwesa community. The realization of the service platform is based on the JADE Multi-Agent System (MAS), and this shows the applicability and adequacy of MAS’s for service deployment in a rural context, at the same time providing key advantages such as platform fault-tolerance, robustness and flexibility. While the context of conceptualization of PIASK and the implementation of KnowNet is that of rurality and of ICT4D, the applicability of the architecture extends to other similarly heterogeneous and context-sensitive domains. KnowNet has been validated for functional and technical adequacy, and we have also undertaken an initial prevalidation for social context sensitivity. We observe that the five tier PIASK architecture provides an adequate framework for developing context-sensitive and ethnocentric software: by functionally separating and making explicit the social networking and access tier components, while still maintaining the traditional separation of presentation, business logic and data components

A knowledge-oriented, context-sensitive architectural framework for service deployment in marginalized rural communities

The notion of a global knowledge society is somewhat of a misnomer due to the fact that large portions of the global community are not participants in this global knowledge society which is driven, shaped by and socio-technically biased towards a small fraction of the global population. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is culture-sensitive and this is a dynamic that is largely ignored in the majority of ICT for Development (ICT4D) interventions, leading to the technological determinism flaw and ultimately a failure of the undertaken projects. The deployment of ICT solutions, in particular in the context of ICT4D, must be informed by the cultural and socio-technical profile of the deployment environments and solutions themselves must be developed with a focus towards context-sensitivity and ethnocentricity. In this thesis, we investigate the viability of a software architectural framework for the development of ICT solutions that are context-sensitive and ethnocentric1, and so aligned with the cultural and social dynamics within the environment of deployment. The conceptual framework, named PIASK, defines five tiers (presentation, interaction, access, social networking, and knowledge base) which allow for: behavioural completeness of the layer components; a modular and functionally decoupled architecture; and the flexibility to situate and contextualize the developed applications along the dimensions of the User Interface (UI), interaction modalities, usage metaphors, underlying Indigenous Knowledge (IK), and access protocols. We have developed a proof-of-concept service platform, called KnowNet, based on the PIASK architecture. KnowNet is built around the knowledge base layer, which consists of domain ontologies that encapsulate the knowledge in the platform, with an intrinsic flexibility to access secondary knowledge repositories. The domain ontologies constructed (as examples) are for the provisioning of eServices to support societal activities (e.g. commerce, health, agriculture, medicine) within a rural and marginalized area of Dwesa, in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The social networking layer allows for situating the platform within the local social systems. Heterogeneity of user profiles and multiplicity of end-user devices are handled through the access and the presentation components, and the service logic is implemented by the interaction components. This services platform validates the PIASK architecture for end-to-end provisioning of multi-modal, heterogeneous, ontology-based services. The development of KnowNet was informed on one hand by the latest trends within service architectures, semantic web technologies and social applications, and on the other hand by the context consideration based on the profile (IK systems dynamics, infrastructure, usability requirements) of the Dwesa community. The realization of the service platform is based on the JADE Multi-Agent System (MAS), and this shows the applicability and adequacy of MAS’s for service deployment in a rural context, at the same time providing key advantages such as platform fault-tolerance, robustness and flexibility. While the context of conceptualization of PIASK and the implementation of KnowNet is that of rurality and of ICT4D, the applicability of the architecture extends to other similarly heterogeneous and context-sensitive domains. KnowNet has been validated for functional and technical adequacy, and we have also undertaken an initial prevalidation for social context sensitivity. We observe that the five tier PIASK architecture provides an adequate framework for developing context-sensitive and ethnocentric software: by functionally separating and making explicit the social networking and access tier components, while still maintaining the traditional separation of presentation, business logic and data components

Perspectivas de investigação sobre o conhecimento indígena e as TICs: Uma abordagem decolonial

This essay aims to show the results of a bibliographic review of research and experiences on indigenous knowledge and ICT for the 2006-2017 period. The study focused on cases in which ICT was used to preserve, transmit, or manage indigenous knowledge. Although it is true that there are different approaches to the object of study such as ICT used as a means of communication for indigenous groups, such is the case of the indigenous movement on the Internet (Monasterios, 2001), or the use of the Internet to promote their products (http://www.tosepan.com/; http://chiapasproject.com/sp/proyecto-de-escuela/las-mujeres/mujeres-de-maiz/), to cite some examples, this paper does not intend to analyze these approaches. As results, the research revealed the following five trends: the creation of digital cultural content and digital inclusion; preservation of indigenous knowledge; management of indigenous knowledge; indigenous knowledge and ICT in educational processes and design of technological prototypes (software, virtual platforms, and mobile applications) in consonance with the indigenous context. In this last line of research, it was identified that the investigations are oriented towards the adequacy of the design of prototypes to the context, and that they are based on a third emergent paradigm derived from the inquiry referred to the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI): the phenomenological matrix, also known as Digital Ground. It is therefore concluded that the Technological Prototype Design dimension, in accordance with the indigenous context, is the most relevant one since it encompasses the other four dimensions. At the same time, a likely area of development is envisaged from the conjunction of management, education, and ICT; this area is focused on the preservation of indigenous knowledge that would empower indigenous communities. Besides, the results of the review indicate that research on indigenous knowledge and ICT is mostly developed in Africa; it is still incipient in Latin America. Therefore, there is a need to pay for this type of study to contribute to the research and understanding of the indigenous knowledge systems and their strengthening by using ICT.El objetivo de la presente comunicación es mostrar los resultados de una revisión bibliográfica en torno a las investigaciones y experiencias sobre el conocimiento indígena y las TIC para el periodo 2006-2017. La búsqueda se limitó a los casos en que las TIC fueron usadas como un medio de preservar, transmitir o gestionar el conocimiento indígena. Si bien es cierto que existen diversas ópticas hacia el objeto de estudio tales como las TIC usadas como medio de comunicación de los grupos indígenas, por ejemplo, el caso del movimiento indígena en internet (Monasterios, 2001), o el uso de internet para promover sus productos (http://www.tosepan.com/; http://chiapasproject.com/sp/proyecto-de-escuela/las-mujeres/mujeres-de-maiz/), por citar algunos, no es intención del presente análisis estudiar dichas perspectivas. Los resultados del análisis muestran cinco tendencias en la investigación: Creación de contenido digital cultural e inclusión digital; preservación del conocimiento indígena; gestión del conocimiento indígena; conocimiento indígena y TIC en procesos educativos, y diseño de prototipos tecnológicos (Software, plataformas virtuales y aplicaciones móviles) acordes al contexto indígena. En esta última línea de investigación, se identificó que los estudios están orientados hacia la adecuación del diseño de prototipos al contexto y que se fundamentan en un tercer paradigma emergente derivado de las investigaciones referidas a la interacción ser humano-computador (IHC): la matriz fenomenológica, también conocida como Digital Ground. Se concluye que la dimensión diseño de prototipos tecnológicos acordes al contexto indígena es la más relevante en tanto que aglutina a las otras cuatro dimensiones y, al mismo tiempo, se vislumbra una posible área de desarrollo a partir de la conjunción de los temas de la gestión, educación y TIC, centrada en la preservación del conocimiento indígena, lo que permitiría empoderar a las comunidades indígenas. Adicionalmente, se encontró que las investigaciones se hallan en mayor medida en África, son aún incipientes en Latinoamérica, por lo que se detecta la necesidad de abonar en este tipo de estudios que contribuyan en el saber y comprensión de los sistemas de conocimientos indígenas y su fortalecimiento usando las TIC.O objetivo da presente comunicação é mostrar os resultados de uma revisão bibliográfica sobre as pesquisas e experiências relacionadas aos conhecimentos indígenas e TIC para o período 2006-2017. A busca foi limitada aos casos em que as TICs foram usadas como um meio de preservar, transmitir ou gerenciar o conhecimento indígena. Embora seja verdade que existem várias perspectivas em relação ao objeto de estudo, como as TIC usadas como meio de comunicação de grupos indígenas, por exemplo, o caso do movimento indígena na Internet (Monasterios, 2001) ou o uso da Internet para promover seus produtos (http://www.tosepan.com/; http://chiapasproject.com/sp/proyecto-de-escuela/las-mujeres/mujeres-de-maiz/, para citar alguns, esta não é a intenção deste trabalho. Os resultados da análise mostram cinco tendências em pesquisa: criação de conteúdo digital cultural e inclusão digital; preservação do conhecimento indígena; gestão do conhecimento indígena; conhecimento indígena e TIC nos processos educacionais e desenho de protótipos tecnológicos (Software, plataformas virtuais e aplicativos móveis) de acordo com o contexto indígena. Nesta última linha de pesquisa, identificou-se que os estudos estão orientados para a adequação do desenho de protótipos para o contexto e que se baseiam em um terceiro paradigma emergente derivado de pesquisas relacionadas à interação humano-computador (IHC): a matriz fenomenológica, também conhecida como Digital Ground. Conclui-se que a dimensão de design dos protótipos tecnológicos de acordo com o contexto indígena é a mais relevante, pois reúne as outras quatro dimensões e, ao mesmo tempo, uma possível área de desenvolvimento é prevista a partir da conjunção de questões de gestão, educação e TIC, focadas na preservação do conhecimento indígena, o que permitiria capacitar comunidades indígenas. Além disso, verificou-se que as pesquisas se concentram na África, e ainda são incipientes na América Latina, portanto, demonstra a relevância em investir nesse tipo de estudo capaz de contribuir para os sistemas de conhecimento indígenas e seu fortalecimento usando as TIC

Now It’s Our Time To Eat! Stakeholder Perceptions of Influences on the Development of Leaders in Malawi

This study explored stakeholder perceptions of influences on the development of sustainable leaders in Malawi, in Sub-Saharan Africa. Narratives from three stakeholder groups—leaders of grassroots organizations including civil society groups, academics and emerging scholars, and professionals who represent the small but growing middle class—capture insights on leader development in the post-colonial period starting with the country’s transition from single-party to multi-party rule in the early to mid-1990s. This multi-party movement galvanized disparate interests into political action for a democratic form of government, and set the backdrop for the current environment for leader development. Since then, the landscape for leadership in Malawi has been dynamic and fluid. Perceptions of leader attributes are contested as traditional customs, culture, and values increasingly collide with Western philosophies and an increasing Chinese influence. Informant narratives examined the role of internal and external influences on the leadership landscape, including educational institutions, social and community organizations, civil society and religious groups, transnational non-governmental organizations, and geopolitical groups, along with donor nations. In addition, the cult of personality and Big Man syndrome were addressed along with the relevance of ethno-linguistic systems and geographic factions in aligning the roles and responsibilities of emerging leaders with the goals and aspirations of their constituents. Finally, the effect of leadership principles and philosophies on economic conditions and development were evaluated in terms of empowering marginalized citizens and preparing their leaders to act globally while thinking locally. Findings contribute to the emerging body of scholarship on leadership in Sub-Saharan Africa by providing narratives from stakeholders who will play a key role in preparing the next generation of future leaders

SYSTEMIC DESIGN DELIVERING POLICY FOR FLOURISHING CIRCULAR REGIONS

Systemic Design expertise is rising as relevant on Policy Design fostering better governance towards Circular Econ- omy. On that journey, a current coordinated work between universities, local authorities, associations and public administration where the Systemic Design is anticipating the future economy actions through policy design is RE- TRACE Interreg Europe project. The aim of this project is to drive regional policies towards a Circular Economy applying the Systemic Design approach developed by the research group of the Department of Architecture and De- sign at Politecnico di Torino. This paper describes the role of Systemic Design on the future challenges on Regional Governance towards a Circular Economy through the outcomes of the RETRACE and discusses the opportunities and wicked problems of this expertise on policymaking. Becoming a milestone on the way to a deeper awareness of the impact the implementation of Systemic Design on Policy Design processes in Europe

Sociotechnical co-production of planning information : opportunities and limits of crowdsourcing for the geography and planning of bicycle transportation

Urban planners deploy civic technologies to engage publics with digital tools in a relative vacuum of theory, understanding of challenges, or benefits. The issue, Lewis Mumford might have framed, could be of authoritarian and democratic technics—whether the technology contributes more to top-down control or bottom-up understanding. Building from collaborative planning theory, co-production suggests ways people can leverage technologies to build urban solutions with or without professional planners. Empirical research shows that crowdsourcing to address planning questions with digital civic platforms can help fill or mitigate information gaps, including support for bicycling as a safe and comfortable travel mode. However, no research has addressed how crowdsourced information for bicycle planning offers new insights for safety, the geography of participation, or how its social construction impacts its representation of bicycling in a community. A new framework for evaluating co-productive planning is proposed, considering legitimacy, accessibility, social learning, transparency, and representation (LASTR). This dissertation addresses these concerns of safety, geography, and social construction through the LASTR framework using mixed-methods case studies in Portland, Oregon, and Austin, Texas. Bicycle volumes and street ratings through the crowdsourcing platform, along with geographic information system environmental data, and interviews with thirty-three informants form the basis for evaluating these issues. Viewed from pragmatism and social construction of technology, the social processes of planning and technological developments are intertwined and traced in tandem. The first three chapters frame the problems, build a background in theory, and describe the research questions, planning contexts, and data for analysis. The next three chapters are empirical, evaluating the use of crowdsourced information for bicycle safety, comparing the geography of crowdsourced participation with in-person meetings from both cities’ most recent bicycle planning process, and tracing the sociotechnical representation of crowdsourcing bicyclist information through interviews and case materials. The final chapter summarizes the findings and implications for practice and research. This dissertation shows that the biased representation of bicycling in these two crowdsourcing cases pose opportunities to identify safer bicycling routes and expand public participation geographies, but could exacerbate problems with aligning public improvements with the users of a specific technological approach. Further, the construct of crowdsourcing for urban planning remains flexible and therefore merits further study and knowledge transfer for practitioners and students.Community and Regional Plannin

Diverse Belongings: An Improvisational Inquiry Into Newcomer Worlds, Worldings, and the Literacies of Belonging

In an era of unprecedented global forced displacement, this artistic, multimodal dissertation explores experiences of belonging with a group of four adult newcomers to Canada. Using a post qualitative approach, the study couples the theoretical concepts of worlding and wonder with the work of Borderlands poets — non-western authors who write from the margins — to explore the creative texts created by the bi- and multilingual English learners from a decolonial stance. The study’s setting, during the Covid-19 pandemic, was an online translanguaging space, in which the participants’ linguistic, artistic, and multimodal repertoires were leveraged in meaning- making and artmaking, including drawings, paintings, digital photography, video and dual language poetry. Poetic transcripts were generated to re-present the participants’ resettlement stories. The findings reveal how affective and resonant worldings emerged through the serial immersion in experiences of belonging, not-belonging, and deeply felt liminal spaces between- belongings. Unworlding stories exposed disturbing examples of the participants’ loss of voice, of silencing in dominant English spaces, even among newcomers with English language proficiency. This inquiry seeks to contest dominant forms of academic knowledge and expand creative approaches within the post-qualitative paradigm to open new avenues for creative inquiry in language, literacy, and arts-based research