Project Leader: Ang Peng Hwa 

Institution:  Nanyang Technological University 

Region: Asia

Start Date: 08/2008

Context: Why is this project important?
The growing body of social science research examining interactions between ICTs and society suffers from several deficits: they tend to lack social, political and cultural positioning and they are limited in their use of sound theoretical frameworks and methodological rigour. Moreover, a large proportion of the research studies focused in the area of Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D or ICTD) in Asia is carried out by researchers based in the developed world. Despite the growing number of ICT4D conferences, workshops and publications, there have not been proportionate emphases on critical analysis, research rigour and inter-disciplinary thought. 

The Project: How does this initiative address the development problem?
In response to the combined need for stronger research capacity in general, and limited ICT4D research capacity within Asia, the Strengthening ICT4D Research Capacity in Asia (SIRCA) program purposely focuses on building research capacity among Asian-based scholars who design, conduct, and report back on research studies and their corresponding findings.  SIRCA is a competitive grants program designed to strengthen capacities to conduct broad-based high-quality multidisciplinary social science ICT4D research in, amongst others, the development of telecommunications, Internet e-services, and new media, their adoption, usage and social impact, and the resultant policy implications for the benefit and advancement of individuals, organizations, nations and society. SIRCA places special emphasis on two aspects: i) strengthening the theoretical basis and methodological rigour of social science research conducted by Asian scholars; and ii) providing targeted capacity development activities and mechanisms to help grant recipients. The structure of the program includes a mentorship element to provide additional targeted support to the principal investigators.

Objectives:
This project aims to build capacities to conduct multi-disciplinary social science research ICT4D in Asia.  More specifically, it aims to:

● promote high-quality multidisciplinary social science research in Internet development, e-services, new media use and social impact, and policy for the benefit and advancement of individuals, organizations, nation and society;

● support linkages among researchers through a mentorship program, as well as workshops and conferences to share knowledge and conduct training activities;

● pursue the publication and dissemination of research findings in academic journals, conferences and other relevant online and print media outlets.

Development Impact
Expected outcomes for the project include i) enhanced research capacity in the region, demonstrated by the increased quality and reach of strong, methodologically rigourous, theoretically sound research findings; ii) creation of a space for discussions and knowledge sharing on ICT4D social science research issues in Asia; iii) and the creation of linkages among emerging ICT4D researchers in Asia, as well as among established and emerging researchers through the mentorship program.