Structured Imaginings: Social Media as a Tool to Reduce Intergroup Prejudice

Based on intergroup contact theory, we conducted a social media campaignto improve the relationship between Chinese sojourners and Singaporeans. We foundthat perceived discrimination fully mediated the effects of face-to-face contact aswell as imagined contact on intergroup prejudice. An investigation of joint effectsshowed that, for the campaign audience, online contact campaign, instead of faceto-face contact, significantly reduced their perceived discrimination, which in turnreduced intergroup prejudice. We discuss explanations for the impact of social mediaon intergroup relationships and implications of targeted social media campaigns in thecontext of a growing crisis in global immigration.<br/

Health Wearable Tools and Health Promotion

The application of wearable technology for health purposes is a multidisciplinary research topic. To summarize key contributions and simultaneously identify outstanding gaps in research, the input-mechanism-output (I-M-O) framework was applied to synthesize findings from 275 relevant papers in the period 2010–2021. Eighteen distinct cross-disciplinary themes were identified and organized under the I-M-O framework. Studies that covered input factors have largely been technocentric, exploring the design of various health wearables, with less emphasis on usability. While studies on user acceptance and engagement are increasing, there remains room for growth in user- centric aspects such as engagement. While measurement of physiological health indictors has grown more sophisticated due to sensitivity of sensors and the advancements in predictive algorithms, a rapidly growing area of research is that of measuring and tracking mental states and emotional health.Relatively few studies explore theoretically backed explanations of the role of health wearables, with technocentric theories predicting adoption favored. These mainly focused on mechanisms of adoption, while postadoption use and health behavior change were less explored. As a consequence, compared to adoption mechanisms, there is an opportunity to increase our understanding of the continued use of wearables and their effects on sustained health behavior change. While a range of incentives such as social, feedback, financial, and gamification are being tested, it is worth noting that negative attitudes, such as privacy concerns, are being paid much more attention as well. Output factors were studied in both individual and organizational settings, with the former receiving considerably more attention than the latter. The progress of research on health wearables was discussed from an interdisciplinary angle, and the role of social scientists was highlighted for the advancement of research on wearable health

The impact of mfinance initiatives in the global south: a review of the literature

After more than two decades of research on technological interventions in the transition to information societies, the burgeoning of mobile phones in developing countries has shifted the information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D) research lens to the different domains of mDevelopment. While advances have been made in domains of mHealth, mGovernment, mBusiness and mEducation, mFinance initiatives have had impressive adoption upon implementation in certain geographic locations. Services such as M-Pesa have been widely reported in the mainstream press and form the test beds for various scholarly investigations

Exploring capability and accountability outcomes of open development for the poor and marginalized: An analysis of select literature

Open development concerns the application of digitally-enabled openness to radically change human capability and governance contexts (Davies &amp; Edwards, 2012; Smith &amp; Reilly, 2013; Smith, Elder, &amp; Emdon, 2011). However, what openness means, and how it contributes to development outcomes is contested (Buskens, 2013; Singh &amp; Gurumurthy, 2013). Furthermore, the potential of open development to support positive social transformation has not yet materialized, particularly for marginalized populations (Bentley &amp; Chib, 2016), partly because relatively little is known regarding how transformation is enacted in the field. Likewise, two promising outcomes – the expansion of human capabilities and accountability – have not been explored in detail. This research interrogates the influence of digitally-enabled openness on transformation processes and outcomes. A purposeful sample of literature was taken to evaluate outcomes and transformation processes according to our theoretical framework, which defines seven cross-cutting dimensions essential to incorporate. We argue that these dimensions explain links between structures, processes and outcomes of open development. These links are essential to understand in the area of Community Informatics as they enable researchers and practitioners to support effective use of openness by and for poor and marginalized communities to pursue their own objectives

When experiencing discrimination predicts greater outgroup affiliation:The role of intergroup mobility in moderating rejection-(Dis)identification patterns

Research has documented how groups cope with perceived discrimination by enhancing their identification with their minority ingroup and reducing their identification with the majority outgroup. However, these patterns have not been consistent across contexts nor examined in relation to discrimination encountered online. Through a survey of PRC Chinese immigrants in Singapore, we examine how online perceived discrimination relates to attitudes toward the Singaporean host society via both ingroup and outgroup identification. We also test the role of intergroup mobility, the perceived level of opportunity ingroup members have to form relationships with dominant outgroup members, as a moderator of these relations. Results show that PRC Chinese immigrants who perceived more discrimination online identified more strongly with both their PRC Chinese ingroup and the Singaporean host society outgroup. In turn, greater PRC Chinese and Singaporean identification related to more positive attitudes toward Singaporeans. Moreover, intergroup mobility moderated these associations, such that the PRC Chinese who perceived greater mobility were more likely to strengthen their identification with Singaporeans as their online perceived discrimination increased. We argue that intergroup mobility beliefs may play a key role in shaping defensive responses to perceived discrimination.</p

SIRCA III Annual Report 2017 : Ten years of excellence

Driven by a passion for social change through the application of ICT in developing countries, with a focus on digitally-enabled openness, SIRCA scholars have demonstrated outstanding influence, shifting ICT4D discourses, and providing leadership roles within their institutions. This Annual Report reviews impacts of Strengthening Information Society Research Capacity Alliance (SIRCA) ten years’ of projects, culminating in the book publication, “Critical Perspectives on Open Development” whose individual chapters are reviewed here. At the end of SIRCA’s third iteration (Phase III), the alliance moves forward on gender mainstreaming practices and the role of ICT in the intersections of technology development and gender

Distributed digital contexts and learning: Personal empowerment and social transformation in marginalized populations

The role of digital media and learning has often been synonymous with the use of open education resources in formal institutional settings. Further, open and distance learning has been criticized for focusing narrowly on educational objectives, ignoring socio-political issues of access and participation by marginalized populations. This study examines the lived experiences of female migrant domestic workers (N=20) in Singapore attending Open University. Mobile and social media supplement open and distance learning resources to allow for open practices of consumption, production and sharing in distributed contexts of digital learning. Marginalized students engaged in participation and collaboration activities, with specific privacy practices due to their social positions. Digital learning led to substantive learning for personal empowerment and social transformation, with aspirational strategies often involving digital skills. The discussion reflects on identity management across formal and informal digital settings as a means of transforming societal discourses of discrimination

Moving mountains with mobiles: Spatiotemporal perspectives on mHealth in Nepal

Community healthcare workers (CHW) are an important component of rural healthcare service delivery to remote rural communities in developing countries. The field of mHealth proposes that mobile technologies will have a beneficial impact on rural healthcare development. Current analyses advance the proposition that the utilization of mobile technologies leads to the shifting of space and time (Ling &amp; Campbell, 2009). The current research examined the potential for a sustainable mHealth system for CHW in Achham, Nepal. The community aspect of mobile usage was overlaid with a spatio-temporal lens to examine the information and communication needs and practices of stakeholders within the healthcare infrastructure. Fieldwork was conducted in conjunction with Nyaya Health, at the Bayalpata Hospital, in Accham, Nepal. Qualitative research methods, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews included 57 respondents. The findings revealed that limited relevance and information-sharing, limited access due to individual ownership and low income, and ineffective training programs were key barriers to the delivery of rural healthcare services. The spatio-temporal perspective, particularly community communicative practices, revealed technological mHealth design solutions to alleviate the problems identified. The potential shifts in power relationships by using mobile technologies and hybrid fixed wireless technologies provide opportunities for further theoretical investigation

The Effect of Intergroup Contact in Gaming on Improving Empathetic Feelings and Reducing Stereotypes Toward Immigrants

Video games have been designed and studied in the context of intergroup relations. Past studies have shown that overall gaming experience may induce empathy and reduce prejudice, however, the mechanism that leads to such an effect is not fully understood. The current study utilizes intergroup contact theory as a foundation to design a 2D game that allows mediated contact to occur through hiring and dialogue choices. It examines how perceived positive vs. negative contact valence with outgroup immigrant workers influences empathetic feelings and stereotypes toward immigrants. A user study of 81 adult players was conducted. Results showed that overall gameplay reduced negative stereotypes. Perceived positive contact predicts increased empathetic feelings and reduced negative stereotypes toward immigrants. However, there is no significant finding with regards to the influence of negative contact in the game. Implications and directions for further research are discusse

Verbal Design: A Participatory Design Approach with Illiterate Patient User Groups

This paper presents a Participatory Design approach focused on applying primarily Verbal Design techniques working alongside illiterate People with Diabetes (PWD) from low socio-economic groups in Pakistan. After gathering a set of initial findings through classic Participatory Design and encountering several challenges, we discuss the development of our Verbal Design Approach in response which uses Narrative Scoping and Persona along with Invisible Design videos to structure and drive discussion and document design. Preliminary work showed that the approach resonated with our illiterate participants