Research | ICTD | Public Access Venues

Public Access to Information and Communication Venues

This research program focuses on the public access to information and communication landscapes in 24 countries, with specific focus on the information needs of underserved communities and the role of ICT. 

Through field research in 24 developing and emerging countries conducted by local research partners, and cross-country comparative analyses based on common research design elements, the project aims to expand our notions of public access and illuminate scenarios for expanding ICT in support of human development. Of particular interest and value are: the comparative look at key venues, and the mix of depth of in-country knowledge with breadth of global comparison to understand how diverse populations can and do access and use ICT to improve their lives. The project is unique in that it examines both venues with information access as a core function, regardless of the availability of ICT, and venues with ICT access as a core function.

Building on the "Real Access" framework, this study examines physical access, information needs, content and service usage patterns, communication and knowledge production, as well as environmental factors, including the macro economy, inequity of service provision, and policy and regulation. This research hopes to elicit success factors and recommendations to strengthen institutions that provide, or have the potential to provide, public access to information and communication through technology.

Project Team

Chris Coward
Ricardo Gomez
Rebecca Sears
Rucha Ambikar
Mike Crandall