Information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the data they generated, transferred, and managed held remarkable potential to foster social and economic development—if managed effectively.
My research was designed to enhance that potential. Through empirical investigations of ICT and data systems in international organizations and marginalized communities, I developed theories and recommendations to benefit humanitarian relief and international development.
ICT Incubators and Economic Growth
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Doctoral student Eric Obeysekare’s dissertation research, supported by a Fulbright Fellowship, investigates ICT incubators in Rwanda. His work combined Boundary Object and Institutional Theory to examine incubators’ roles in ICT entrepreneurship. Rather than focusing solely on success factors, Eric explores whether incubators provide less obvious but positive effects and introduced a novel boundary institution theory.
Leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of tomorrow.
Big Data and Ebola
This project critically examined claims about Big Data’s role in predicting and controlling Ebola outbreaks. Our goals:
- Separate hype from reality regarding Big Data’s potential.
- Identified domains where Big Data can be effective.
- Improved communication between data scientists and humanitarian responders.
- Analyzed how multi-level governance influences these connections.
Funded by the National Science Foundation.
MOOCs in STEM Education
Our research investigated motivations and experiences of STEM MOOC students in developing countries, beginning with Penn State’s Maps and the Geospatial Revolution MOOC. Findings informed course design and highlighted diverse motivations—from career advancement to personal growth.
Subsequent work examined the State Department’s MOOC Camp program, with results presented at the ACM ICTD2015 Conference in Singapore. Funded by Penn State’s Center for Online Innovation in Learning (COIL).
GIS Use in International Development
- GIS and mapping are increasingly used in development organizations, yet adoption varies widely. Our research explored factors enabling advanced geospatial analysis and the role of multi-level governance.
A preliminary study of GIS use by USAID partners and UN organizations in the West Bank is underway, supported by Penn State’s Social Science Research Institute (SSRI).
United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
Measuring relief and development coherence in refugee crisis response (in collaboration with the U.S. State Department).
Data aggregation in refugee crisis response platforms in Latin America and Uganda (Fulbright Global Scholar grant).
ICTs & Refugees
Refugees are among the world’s most vulnerable populations, yet adversity often fosters resilience and innovation. Our research explores how ICTs can improve refugee lives and enhance service provider operations. Key questions include:
- How does refugee use of IT evolve across the refugee life cycle?
- Can IT-based systems improve both operational efficiency and refugee well-being?
- How can humanitarian and development systems align for greater efficiency?
- What harms might these technologies cause, and how does gender influence outcomes?
- What innovative technologies can support camp-based and urban refugees?
- How can data and communication strengthen community development?
This work was supported by NSF, UNHCR, and the U.S. State Department.
Additional Research Areas
- Inter-organizational relations in global supply chains (with Penn State, IBM, and international partners).
- Regionalization in wireless telecommunications policy (examining the influence of regional bodies like the EU and Mercosur).
- Publications and Book
- My work on ICTs and displacement culminated in the book:
- Maitland, C. F. (Ed.) Digital Lifeline? ICTs for Refugees and the Displaced (MIT Press, 2018)
- Praised for its interdisciplinary approach and balanced perspective, the book has been reviewed in leading journals, including the Journal of Refugee Studies and Information, Communication & Society.