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Information and communication technologies (ICTs) and peacebuilding: a conceptual framework

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) and peacebuilding: a conceptual framework
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) and peacebuilding: a conceptual framework
The emerging practice of using information and communication technologies (ICTs), including the web, SMS, Geographic Information Systems and others, in peacebuilding projects has over the past few years generated growing interest from donors, practitioners and more recently academia. This is in large parts due to three trends: the observed role of new media in conflict situations; the attention given to digital data for conflict analysis, humanitarian and development work; and the emerging use of new forms of ICTs in peacebuilding activities. This interest however leaves implicit the range of constructive contributions ICTs can make to peacebuilding and conflict transformation processes and ways to conceptualise this emerging field. Moreover work undertaken in this area often falls within disciplinary silos that are not conducive to gaining a holistic perspective of the wider implications of using ICTs in peacebuilding contexts. Using an interdisciplinary approach, this paper proposes a framework for understanding some of the constructive contributions ICTs have to make to peacebuilding and conflict transformation processes. Grounded in current debates around the ‘liberal peace’ this framework allows us to conceptualise ICTs as sociotechnical phenomena, moving beyond ideas of ‘solving problems’ through technology or a focus on external interventions. Instead the analytical emphasis shifts to the co-evolutive nature of local and other uses of technology, in situations where complex power dynamics are at play, and as such allows us to better understand the technologies' emergent properties, providing a more comprehensive account of their wider societal impacts.
Welch, Jennifer
396e8032-08f6-45bb-9a80-728577bf279d
Halford, Susan
0d0fe4d6-3c4b-4887-84bb-738cf3249d46
Weal, Mark J.
e8fd30a6-c060-41c5-b388-ca52c81032a4
Welch, Jennifer
396e8032-08f6-45bb-9a80-728577bf279d
Halford, Susan
0d0fe4d6-3c4b-4887-84bb-738cf3249d46
Weal, Mark J.
e8fd30a6-c060-41c5-b388-ca52c81032a4

Welch, Jennifer, Halford, Susan and Weal, Mark J. (2015) Information and communication technologies (ICTs) and peacebuilding: a conceptual framework. WebSci '15, Oxford, United Kingdom. 28 Jun - 01 Jul 2015. (doi:10.1145/2786451.2786479).

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

The emerging practice of using information and communication technologies (ICTs), including the web, SMS, Geographic Information Systems and others, in peacebuilding projects has over the past few years generated growing interest from donors, practitioners and more recently academia. This is in large parts due to three trends: the observed role of new media in conflict situations; the attention given to digital data for conflict analysis, humanitarian and development work; and the emerging use of new forms of ICTs in peacebuilding activities. This interest however leaves implicit the range of constructive contributions ICTs can make to peacebuilding and conflict transformation processes and ways to conceptualise this emerging field. Moreover work undertaken in this area often falls within disciplinary silos that are not conducive to gaining a holistic perspective of the wider implications of using ICTs in peacebuilding contexts. Using an interdisciplinary approach, this paper proposes a framework for understanding some of the constructive contributions ICTs have to make to peacebuilding and conflict transformation processes. Grounded in current debates around the ‘liberal peace’ this framework allows us to conceptualise ICTs as sociotechnical phenomena, moving beyond ideas of ‘solving problems’ through technology or a focus on external interventions. Instead the analytical emphasis shifts to the co-evolutive nature of local and other uses of technology, in situations where complex power dynamics are at play, and as such allows us to better understand the technologies' emergent properties, providing a more comprehensive account of their wider societal impacts.

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Published date: June 2015
Venue - Dates: WebSci '15, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2015-06-28 - 2015-07-01
Organisations: Web & Internet Science, Sociology, Social Policy & Criminology

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 384151
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/384151
PURE UUID: 6a01096f-e299-4203-a44e-9ea37c2a9325
ORCID for Mark J. Weal: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-6251-8786

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Date deposited: 10 Dec 2015 14:25
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:46

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Contributors

Author: Jennifer Welch
Author: Susan Halford
Author: Mark J. Weal ORCID iD

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