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From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 22 May 2008 00:09 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Call for papers: ICTs and Social Inclusion Hello there Could you please publicise the call for papers for a special edition on ICTs and social inclusion in the Journal of Information, Communication & Ethics in Society? It would be greatly appreciated. With kind regards Steve Dr Steve Matthewman Senior Lecturer in Sociology The University of Auckland CALL FOR PAPERS Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society (JICES) http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/viewContainer.do?containerType=Jou rnal&containerId=25398 ISSN: 1477-996X Special Issue on 'ICTs and Social Inclusion' Guest Editors: Cathy Urquhart, Information Systems and Operations Management, University of Auckland Business School Yvonne Underhill-Sem, Centre for Development Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Auckland The Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society is an international, refereed journal that aims to provide interdisciplinary perspectives on the social and ethical impacts of new media and information and communication technologies on society, organisations, the environment and individuals. While information and communication technologies (ICTs) may appear ubiquitous in the 21st century, access to those ICTs is far from universal. The term 'social inclusion' has been suggested as a more positive way of approaching this digital divide (Warschauer 2003). Social inclusion is defined as 'participation in the determination of both individual and collective life chances' (Stewart 2000). Thus there is more to social inclusion than equal access to resources, and it should be recognised that even wealthy individuals may be excluded because of discrimination based on gender, race, sexual preference or disability, or political persecution (Warschauer 2003). For instance, there is evidence that African Americans are socially excluded from participation in ICTs despite the US being a so-called developed country, and this is true of many poorer communities in developed countries. In developing countries, there is evidence that ICT initiatives tend to favour those who already have access to ICTs through a superior education (Warschauer 2003). It is inceasingly important to locate ICTs within the particular social conditions because as with all technologies, they are an integral aspect of socio-political, economic and cultural development (Hufkin and Huyer 2006). ICTs can play a crucial role in shaping collective life chances, for instance the access to information that ICTs offer can help poverty reduction. ICTs also facilitate the building of human and social capital through increasing flows of information, and building on knowledge and human capacity for poverty reduction (Urquhart, Liyanage and Kah 2007). In addition to their empowering possibilities, ICTs have also inhibiting tendencies especially when information and communication is not integrated within development strategies. These contradictory tendencies invite more careful theoretically nuanced analysis of ICTs and social inclusion. If the position of social inclusion implies equal access to technology for all, then the sustainability of ICTs in terms of how they are designed, used and disposed of is also of relevance. E-waste is a problem in some developing countries, and can be seen to be contrary to the social inclusion ideal as some countries end up processing other countries -waste. Such actions are likely to have generational effects, socially and ecologically. Social inclusion by implication has a concern with equity and social justice - and environmental problems like global warming do not respect political boundaries. For these reasons, we also invite papers that look at novel perspectives on ICTs and environmental issues. Possible topics for papers include but are not limited to: * Assessing government policies and initiatives that counter social exclusion in ICTs * Economic perspectives on access to ICTs such as government policy and ICT infrastructure * Access, ownership and control of ICTs (including the micro and macro politics of artefacts) * Social, spatial and philosophical dimensions of ICTs and social inclusion * ICTs and social inclusion as a result of gender inequality, racial discrimination and other aspects of social exclusion * The role of human and social capital in effective access and use of ICTs * The role of virtual communities in promoting social inclusion * Unintended consequences of ICT for social inclusion * ICTs and e-government * The role of ICTs in economic development. * How ICTs are reconfiguring traditional notions of citizenship and participation. * Sustainable ICTs and ICTs which assist with problems of climate change and environmental monitoring. Please feel free to contact Cathy Urquhart on [log in to unmask] or Yvonne Underhill-Sem on [log in to unmask] with any queries on submission. See http://www.emeraldinsight.com/info/journals/jices/notes.jsp for guidelines on submission. The normal length requirement is 7000 words but we are also inviting shorter submissions on cutting edge research that is in an earlier stage of development. The papers should be emailed to both guest editors. Important Dates Final date for submission - June 15 2008 Notification of Acceptance - August 30 2008 Final papers due - October 30 2008 This special issue will be coordinated by members of the Social Inclusion and Technology Research Group of the University of Auckland, and associated Universities The Associate Editors are listed below. * Antonio Diaz, Department of Management and International Business * Lesley Gardner, Department of Information Systems and Operations Management * Steve Matthewman, Department of Sociology * Logan Muller, UNITEC, Auckland * Karin Olesen, Auckland University of Technology * Koro Tawa, Department of Information Systems and Operations Management * Rachel Wolfgramm, Department of Management and International Business References Hafkin, N and Huyer S, (2006.) Cyberella or Cinderella? Empowering Women in the Knowledge Society. New Hampton: Kumarian Press. Stewart A (2000), Social Inclusion: An Introduction, in Social Inclusion: Possibilities and Tensions, ed p.Askonas and A.Stewart, pp1-16. Macmillan:Houndmills England Urquhart, C., Liyanage, S., Kah, M.,(2007) 'ICTs and Poverty Reduction: A Social Capital and Knowledge Perspective' Journal of Information Technology, 04/12/2007, doi:10.1057. Warschauer M (2003) Social Inclusion and Technology, MIT Press: Mass ************************************************************************************ Distributed through Cyber-Society-Live [CSL]: CSL is a moderated discussion list made up of people who are interested in the interdisciplinary academic study of Cyber Society in all its manifestations.To join the list please visit: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/cyber-society-live.html *************************************************************************************