Improving brain computer interface research through user involvement - The transformative potential of integrating civil society organisations in research projects

Research on Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI) often aims to provide solutions for vulnerable populations, such as individuals with diseases, conditions or disabilities that keep them from using traditional interfaces. Such research thereby contributes to the public good. This contribution to the public good corresponds to a broader drive of research and funding policy that focuses on promoting beneficial societal impact. One way of achieving this is to engage with the public. In practical terms this can be done by integrating civil society organisations (CSOs) in research. The open question at the heart of this paper is whether and how such CSO integration can transform the research and contribute to the public good. To answer this question the paper describes five detailed qualitative case studies of research projects including CSOs. The paper finds that transformative impact of CSO integration is possible but by no means assured. It provides recommendations on how transformative impact can be promoted

Computing for social good: supporting microfinance institutions in Zambia

We investigate whether information and communication technologies (ICTs) can be used to achieve social good as they are implemented in microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Zambia. We find through information gathered from interviews with microfinance institution officials that their organisations are focused primarily on survival in a competitive financial climate. Additionally, our findings reveal that most MFI business within the context of ICTs only promotes social good by default and not by design. This means that social good is not a primary mover or something that MFIs plan to achieve when they integrate ICTs into their business models but that it happens due to the assumed mission of primarily serving the informal sector small and micro businesses and the low-income clients

Regulation of digital platforms for a socially-just gig economy in Kenya

Digital platforms are fundamentally changing the world of work, giving way to a new economic model referred to as the ‘gig economy’. Kenya is at the forefront of this gig economy, with a wide range of digital platforms operating and offering workers immense opportunities for flexible, cost-effective and convenient work. On the flipside the precarious livelihoods of workers often remain unaddressed. This study sheds light on challenges gig workers face in Kenya such as platform’s market power concentration, a lack of codified worker’s rights or women facing disadvantages on the job market due to gender-based factors. Furthermore, it gives concrete recommendations that policy makers can draw on to refine a digital platform regulation approach for a more socially-just gig economy in Kenya and other sub-Saharan countries

Towards a socially just gig economy in Kenya: Stakeholder engagement and regulatory processes

Digital platforms are fundamentally changing the world of work. At the click of a button, we can order food or services online to our doorstep in the so-called gig economy. While the platform economy opens immense opportunities for flexible, gainful and convenient entrepreneurship, the precarious livelihoods of workers and service providers often remain unaddressed. In particular, workers from economically developing countries are often subject to repetitive gig work, low levels of job security and high exploitation risks. Kutoma J. Wakunuma and Tom Kwanya have studied the livelihood of Kenyan gig workers, which allows us to better understand the perks and perils of the gig economy in the Global South

Civil society organisations in research: A literature-based typology

This article explores literatures from various sources to highlight and understand differences among key players surrounding the perceived nature and role of civil society in research from different literature streams. Including Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in research activities is an integral part of a broad drive towards integration of science and society. Interest in CSO inclusion in research is widespread, but lacks a coherent focus and clarity on what CSOs are. Without this clarity, CSO-inclusive research, or policy, may be ineffective. This article addresses this gap in knowledge by presenting findings from an exploration of academic, policy and research project literature in order to come to a view on CSOs in research. This culminates in a typology of CSOs and provides a means of identifying types of CSOs. The typology shows four main types of CSO (common cause, shared voice, research-oriented, commercially oriented) and provides a definition for each type, along with a basis for the definition; an example of each; some typical terminology; typical area of activity; properties; typical mission; key areas of interest and their ‘action logic’ in research

The Use of Gendered Chatbots in Nigeria: Critical Perspectives

open access book chapterIn a bid to improve service delivery and efficiency in Nigeria, the use of conversational agents such as chatbots capable of providing round the clock responses is growing. This is gaining more traction in the financial sector, particularly in fintechs where there have been significant improvements in the last year. However, not enough research has been conducted on the impact of the gendering of these conversational agents. This is concerning, especially as findings from our research reveal that the majority of chatbots currently deployed in the country are deliberately gendered to appear female, reinforcing already existing gender stereotypes within African societies. With an increase in the deployment of these bots in many other sectors, it is crucial to evaluate the significance of the gendering of these bots to ascertain the effect on gender inequality in Nigeria

Improving brain computer interface research through user involvement - The transformative potential of integrating civil society organisations in research projects

Research on Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI) often aims to provide solutions for vulnerable populations, such as individuals with diseases, conditions or disabilities that keep them from using traditional interfaces. Such research thereby contributes to the public good. This contribution to the public good corresponds to a broader drive of research and funding policy that focuses on promoting beneficial societal impact. One way of achieving this is to engage with the public. In practical terms this can be done by integrating civil society organisations (CSOs) in research. The open question at the heart of this paper is whether and how such CSO integration can transform the research and contribute to the public good. To answer this question the paper describes five detailed qualitative case studies of research projects including CSOs. The paper finds that transformative impact of CSO integration is possible but by no means assured. It provides recommendations on how transformative impact can be promoted

Robot enhanced therapy for children with autism (DREAM): A social model of autism

The development of social robots for children with autism has been a growth field for the past 15 years. This article reviews studies in robots and autism as a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts socialcommunication development, and the ways social robots could help children with autism develop social skills. Drawing on ethics research from the EU-funded Development of Robot-Enhanced Therapy for Children with Autism (DREAM) project (framework 7), this paper explores how ethics evolves and developed in this European project