Premium
The Emancipation of the Researcher as Part of Information and Communication Technology for Development Work in Deep Rural South Africa
Author(s) -
Krauss Kirstin,
Turpin Marita
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the electronic journal of information systems in developing countries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.41
H-Index - 18
ISSN - 1681-4835
DOI - 10.1002/j.1681-4835.2013.tb00416.x
Subject(s) - emancipation , underpinning , sociology , reflexivity , confessional , public relations , information and communications technology , work (physics) , social science , pedagogy , engineering ethics , political science , politics , engineering , law , mechanical engineering , civil engineering
In this paper the authors contend that if the outsider‐researcher involved in Information and Communication Technology for Development research really wants to make a difference and honestly address the emancipatory interests of the developing community, emancipation has to take place on both sides of the ‘development divide’. Emancipatory research and practice need to be accompanied by an understanding of the researcher‐practitioner's own assumptions, preconceptions, and limitations as well as local concerns, needs, and realities. Using a critical theoretical underpinning, the paper demonstrates how the outsider researcher and practitioner may recquire emancipation in order to ensure more appropriate Information and Communication Technology for Development. Through confessional writing and demonstrating critical reflexivity, the authors reflect on particular instances of self‐emancipation as they present three narratives from the community entry phases of an ongoing community engagement project in a deep rural part of South Africa. Lessons learned include, the value of cultural interpreters as research partners, tactics for community entry, and a self‐reflective approach to doing fieldwork.