:: Singapore Internet Research Center ::

SiRC Visiting Fellows - 2005

Name: Arul Chib, Doctoral Candidate and Fellow

Affiliation: School for Communication, University of Southern California

Project title: Information Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D): Cases from Tsunami-affected Communities in Indonesia and India

The imagination of the development community was captured by an incredible story of survival from the 2004 Tsunami in Nallavadu, India, involving a local community’s use of modern ICTs as a disaster warning system. Clearly, as hi-tech disaster-preparedness systems (seismological, ocean-floor, tidal, and satellite technologies) are developed, more accessible, affordable and last-mile communication systems need consideration—especially in the context of overall development goals. The literature reviews and field research, in the Tsunami-affected areas of India and Indonesia, suggest that ICTs are being used to for livelihood generation activities, to improve education and health resources, and to promote gender equity. This presentation examines institutional and technological requirements involved in developing such systems. We find that the existing social structure can be leveraged with appropriate investments in the technological infrastructure. The key risks associated with such programs stem from inadequate research support at various phases, issues of sustainability, and unintended impacts on the social system. A well-designed research program can mitigate these risks.

Name: Jeannie Goh, Doctoral Candidate

Affiliation: University of Manchester, UK

Project title: Facing the Future: The Presence of Others in the Age of Video-Mediated Communication

Computer-mediated communication (CMC) removes aspects of presence, such as identifability and visual cues and raises private awareness , all important communication cues which are typically present in face to face communication. During the talk I discuss a series of experiments, which examine how removing these aspects of presence can increase self-disclosure and can facilitate intimacy. I will also briefly outline my present work, which investigates how public and private awareness in CMC may be manipulated to increase self-disclosure.


SiRC Visiting Fellows Year 2006 Year 2005	SiRC Visiting Fellows - 2005 Name: Arul Chib, Doctoral Candidate and Fellow Affiliation: School for Communication, University of Southern California Project title: Information Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D): Cases from Tsunami-affected Communities in Indonesia and India The imagination of the development community was captured by an incredible story of survival from the 2004 Tsunami in Nallavadu, India, involving a local community’s use of modern ICTs as a disaster warning system. Clearly, as hi-tech disaster-preparedness systems (seismological, ocean-floor, tidal, and satellite technologies) are developed, more accessible, affordable and last-mile communication systems need consideration—especially in the context of overall development goals. The literature reviews and field research, in the Tsunami-affected areas of India and Indonesia, suggest that ICTs are being used to for livelihood generation activities, to improve education and health resources, and to promote gender equity. This presentation examines institutional and technological requirements involved in developing such systems. We find that the existing social structure can be leveraged with appropriate investments in the technological infrastructure. The key risks associated with such programs stem from inadequate research support at various phases, issues of sustainability, and unintended impacts on the social system. A well-designed research program can mitigate these risks. Name: Jeannie Goh, Doctoral Candidate Affiliation: University of Manchester, UK Project title: Facing the Future: The Presence of Others in the Age of Video-Mediated Communication Computer-mediated communication (CMC) removes aspects of presence, such as identifability and visual cues and raises private awareness , all important communication cues which are typically present in face to face communication. During the talk I discuss a series of experiments, which examine how removing these aspects of presence can increase self-disclosure and can facilitate intimacy. I will also briefly outline my present work, which investigates how public and private awareness in CMC may be manipulated to increase self-disclosure.	Resources China Digital News Blog A blog maintained by the China Internet Project at the University of California at Berkeley. The China Digital News blog can be accessed here.