PhD Students

Research Rapid advances in information and communications technologies (ICTs) have resulted in new and faster ways of storing, handling, distributing and accessing information. With the subsequent substantial reductions in their cost resulting in their being more widely accessible, these new technologies can dramatically increase access to information and communications, which can break barriers to knowledge and participation. A result of these advancements has been the evolution of hyperbolic and popularist scenarios focusing exclusively on the positive elements of the emergence of an information revolution, age or society. Casting a shadow over this is the realisation that ICTs are spatially biased, tend to underpin new and old geographic divisions and hierarchies, and can contribute to new patterns of homogenisation and differentiation. This ‘digital divide’ can be between individuals, households, businesses and geographic areas at different socio-economic levels with regard to both their opportunities to access ICTs and to their use of the Internet for a wide variety of activities. The research project has two principal aims. Firstly, it will search out and collate the available evidence relating to ICT access in Ireland and to relate this evidence to broader trends in social and spatial inequality. Secondly, it will formulate policy proposals for maximising access to and the ability to use these technologies. The study will encompass: 1) an overview of the development of information technology, its growing role in the post-Fordist ‘informational economy’ and an investigation into the demographic, social, economic and spatial influences on differential access to IT capability; 2) a study of the divide at a European level with an analysis of the impact of public policy measures implemented in the various jurisdictions designed to reduce or eliminate these differentials; 3) a documentation of the digital divide and impact of public policy measures in Ireland. These sources will be supplemented by structured interviews with key personnel from the various agencies involved in formulating the relevant public policy measures. 4) Analysing the findings, the thesis aims to formulate a coordinated and concerted set of public policy measures to maximise policy effectiveness in significantly reducing the dimensions of the digital divide in Ireland.

This research is funded by NIRSA.