Role of the digital technology in the social inclusion of forced migrants

  • Year (2018 – 2021)
  • Scientific coordinator: Prof. Federico Neresini
  • Contact Person: Olga Usachova

Immagine1 1 | Padova Science Technology and Innovation Studies Considering the rapid development of the new digital technologies and the existing challenge of integrating forced migrants into host societies comes the question about the role mobile software and digital platforms could play in the ongoing integration efforts.
Photo credits: Refugeehackaton / Flickr Creative Commons.

Abstract

Considering the rapid development of the new digital technologies and the existing challenge of integrating forced migrants into host societies comes the question about the role mobile software and digital platforms could play in the ongoing integration efforts.

In this regard, the research project devoted mainly to the understanding the role of digital technology in forced migrant’s inclusion and integration process.

Drawing on actor-network theory and by focussing particularly on the entanglements between digital technologies, governments, migrants, and host communities research critically engages with concepts of ‘digital divide’, ‘inclusion-exclusion’ or ‘identity of the user’.

Throughout the project, the researcher is interested in how digital technologies affect the agency of forcedly displaced people who have to deal with all kinds of inconveniences coming from the side of state policies and agencies.

Research envisioned to follow an integrated “socio-technical” approach that examines both the design and shaping of a digital technology and their interaction and usage in migrants and host communities.

Research Area: Media and Digital Technologies