Improving research capacity on information society issues

An IDRC-funded project has enhanced the research capacity of 15 emerging information society scholars in Africa, Asia, and Latin America through grants, mentorship, and training. Thanks to the project, more researchers from developing countries are contributing research on development and information society issues to the field.

Building future leaders through mentorship and training

The project has provided extended mentorship and training in communications and research-to-policy, giving researchers the tools needed to advance and become leaders in their fields. Many researchers supported by the project have progressed in their careers.

• Baohua Zhou is now an associate professor at Fudan University.

• Rajesh Chandwani is now an assistant professor at the Indian Institute of Management

• Kabran Djane successfully completed his PhD and is teaching in Korhogo.

Often, developing country researchers are not adequately represented in the information society literature. Research supported by the project has contributed to filling this gap.

Among the research highlights:

• In Uruguay, a study found that higher levels of digital skills during adolescence can increase the chances of getting a job later by 60%.

• In China, a study found that the Internet and new media can encourage online expressiveness for migrant workers.

• In Peru, a study found that an increase in technological capacity improved teachers’ attitudes (pages 1018-1031).

A new book, Impact of Information Society Research in the Global South, and a special issue of the Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries have been published based on findings from the Strengthening Information Society Research Capacity Alliance Phase II (SIRCA II) project. 

The SIRCA research grant award is now entering its third phase. Learn more about the next phase of the project.