February 2010 - change - Mailing Lists

SAICSIT 2010 - Call for Papers
by Yaw Anokwa 16 Feb '10

16 Feb '10

CALL FOR PAPERS SAICSIT 2010 – Fountains of Computing Research The 2010 Annual Research Conference of the South African Institute for Computer Scientists and Information Technologists 11 to 13 October 2010, Bela Bela, South Africa Conference website is accessible via the SAICSIT website: www.SAICSIT.org.za Paper submission site: https://www.softconf.com/b/saicsit2010/ ------------------------------------- CALL FOR PAPERS ------------------------------------- SAICSIT 2010 is the premier South African forum for presenting research in computer science, information systems, information technology, software engineering, and computer engineering (as defined in the ACM, AIS and IEEE-CS). The conference is held under the auspices of the national society, SAICSIT (www.saicsit.org.za) Following a history of very successful SAICSIT conferences, we invite you to submit papers for the 2010 event. SAICSIT 2010 is an international conference and contributions from all parts of the world are warmly welcomed. Proceedings of the main SAICSIT 2010 conference will be published in the ACM International Conference Proceedings series and be available on the ACM digital library. The theme of the SAICSIT 2010 Conference, ’Fountains of Computing Research’, addresses the richness of computing research that is reflected in real-world applications. The conference is subdivided into 2 main parts: - The main SAICSIT conference from 12 – 13 October 2010 - A number of associated events on 11 October 2010. The following events are currently planned for Monday 11 October 2010: - Workshop on ICT Uses in Warfare and the Safeguarding of Peace. - Tutorial on Enterprise Engineering by Prof Jan Dietz (1/2 day tutorial). - Enterprise Architecture Workgroup for Academia (1/2 day workshop). - Grid Computing Tutorial (full-day workshop presented by Dr Bruce Becker, Coordinator, South African National Grid, Meraka Institute, CSIR). - Postgraduate Student Symposium (full day). ------------------------------------- TOPICS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE SAICSIT 2010 MAIN CONFERENCE AND POSTGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM ------------------------------------- Suggested topics for contributions are (but not limited to): Main Research Themes: - Computer Science - Computer Engineering - Information Systems - Information Technology - Software Engineering. Special Themes for SACISIT 2010: - Human Language Technologies - Mobile Technologies - Information Security - Knowledge Engineering and Knowledge Management - Enterprise Architecture and Enterprise Engineering - User Experience - Grid, Distributed and Cloud Computing - Green Computing - ICT and Cyber Defence - Next Generation Web - Health Informatics - ICT for Development - ICT in Education. ------------------------------------- SUBMISSION CATEGORIES ------------------------------------- Submissions are invited in the following track categories: - Main Conference (full research papers, short research papers, industry oriented papers / case studies) - Postgraduate Symposium - Proposals for panel discussions - Workshop on ICT Uses in Warfare and the Safeguarding of Peace ------------------------------------- DEADLINES ------------------------------------- Main conference: Abstract due (Pre-requisite for research papers): 1 May 2010 Final date for submission of complete full and short research papers: 15 May 2010 Notification of acceptance to authors: 1 July 2010. Postgraduate Symposium (see separate call): Final date for abstract submission to M&D: 15 August 2010 Notification of acceptance to authors: 03 September 2010. Panel discussions: Final date for proposals: 1 July 2010 Notification of acceptance to proposers: 15 July 2010. Workshop on ICT Uses in Warfare and the Safeguarding of Peace (see separate call with paper template and workshops details) Paper submission deadline: 9 June 2010. Notification of acceptance to authors: 23 July 2010 Final paper submission deadline: 11 August 2010. ------------------------------------- SUBMISSION FORMATS ------------------------------------- Please Note: All submissions in all categories of the SAICSIT 2010 Main Conference and the Postgraduate Symposium will must follow the ACM International Conference Proceedings Series prescribed format (Word (preferred format) or LaTeX format (with no additional libraries or special fonts) are acceptable). The Workshop on ICT Uses in Warfare and the Safeguarding of Peace has its own submission format. The relevant template for SAICSIT 2010 is provided for direct downloading on the conference website. Papers that do not follow the template may be excluded from the conference proceedings. The maximum paper length as stipulated in the various submission categories will also be strictly enforced. For all the tracks, the versions submitted for review must be uploaded in .PDF format. Any questions regarding the formatting and uploading of submissions should be directed to: saicsit2010(a)gmail.com. ------------------------------------- SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE VARIOUS CATEGORIES OF SUBMISSIONS ------------------------------------- SAICSIT 2010 is an international conference and all submissions will be peer-reviewed by an international panel of experts. English is the official conference language: all submissions must therefore be in English. ------------------------------------- FULL RESEARCH PAPERS ------------------------------------- Submissions of full research papers for publication in the conference proceedings are invited. Papers may address any of the areas identified in the conference topics and should take cognisance of the conference theme. Submissions should report original work and must not have been published previously. All full research paper submissions will be peer-reviewed by an international panel of experts. The review process will retain the anonymity of authors and reviewers. The program committee may consider the following criteria when evaluating submitted papers: novelty, interest, evidence, clarity. - Novelty: The paper presents new ideas and/or results and places these ideas and results appropriately within the context established by previous research in the field. - Interest: The results in the paper are interesting, intriguing, or provocative. The paper challenges or changes informed opinion about what is possible, true, or likely. - Evidence: The paper presents evidence supporting its claims. Examples of evidence include formalizations and proofs, implemented systems, experimental results, statistical analyses, case studies, and anecdotes. - Clarity: The paper presents its claims and results clearly. Submit full papers of a maximum of 10 pages in .PDF format, using the conference submission system at: https://www.softconf.com/b/saicsit2010/. Papers must be formatted according to the prescribed format. Accepted full research papers must be presented at the conference and will be published in the ACM International Conference Proceedings Series. Authors should guarantee the anonymity of their submissions (please remove names and affiliations from the first page and any other material that would allow reviewers to identify authors). We will follow a two-phased approach for the submission of full research papers: 1. If you wish to submit a full research paper you must first upload an Abstract of maximum 300 words for your paper using the conference submission system no later than 1 May 2010. This Abstract will be used to find and assign suitable reviewers for your full paper submission. You may deviate slightly from this abstract and paper title in your final version of the paper, but please keep to the core theme since it will not be possible to change reviewers later due to the very short reviewer turn-around times. This Abstract must contain the title of your paper but must be anonymous (contain no reference to the authors). If you do not submit an Abstract you will not be able to upload a full version of the paper later on. The submission system will issue a ‘passcode’ when you submit the Abstract, which will be required to upload the full version of your paper later on. 2. The full version of your paper must be the complete version of your paper and must again be anonymous (i.e. contain no details or reference to the authors). A maximum of 10 pages are allowed in the prescribed format. This complete version of your paper will be reviewed by an international panel of reviewers. This version must be uploaded to the submission system no later than 15 May 2010. ------------------------------------- SHORT RESEARCH PAPERS ------------------------------------- Submissions are solicited for short papers that address any of the conference topics. Authors are encouraged to submit late-breaking research results and work in progress that show the latest innovative ideas. Short paper submissions should report original work and must not have been published previously nor be a condensed version of previously published papers. All short paper submissions will be peer-reviewed by an international panel of experts. The review process will retain the anonymity of authors and reviewers. Submit full papers of a maximum of 4 pages in .PDF format, using the conference submission system at: https://www.softconf.com/b/saicsit2010/. Papers must be formatted according to the prescribed format. Accepted short research papers must be presented at the conference and will be published in the ACM International Conference Proceedings Series. Authors should guarantee the anonymity of their submissions (please remove names and affiliations from the first page and any other material that would allow reviewers to identify authors). We will follow a two-phased approach for the submission of short research papers: 1. If you wish to submit a short research paper you must first upload an Abstract of maximum 300 words for your paper using the conference submission system no later than 1 May 2010. This Abstract will be used to find and assign suitable reviewers for your short paper submission. You may deviate slightly from this abstract and paper title in your final version of the paper, but please keep to the core theme since it will not be possible to change reviewers later due to the very short reviewer turn-around times. This Abstract must contain the title of your paper but must be anonymous (contain no reference to the authors). If you do not submit an Abstract you will not be able to upload a full version of the paper later on. The submission system will issue a ‘passcode’ when you submit the Abstract, which will be required to upload the full version of your paper later on. 2. The full version of your short paper must be the complete version of your short paper and must again be anonymous (i.e. contain no details or reference to the authors). A maximum of 4 pages are allowed in the prescribed format. This complete version of your short paper will be reviewed by an international panel of reviewers. This version must be uploaded to the submission system no later than 15 May 2010. ------------------------------------- INDUSTRY ORIENTED PAPERS / CASE STUDIES ------------------------------------- In a bid to foster more communication between industry and academia, SAICSIT 2010 solicits papers / case studies from industry members addressing research taking place in industry. Specifically, the industry track seeks to: - Provide a forum for practitioners to discuss insights, successes and challenges in practical or industry research and development in fields related to the themes of SAICSIT 2010. - Identify new challenges, lessons, concerns and issues related to computing related research and development in the real world. The goal is to provide researchers the information required to focus their activities on real-world issues. - Highlight new, practical research activities; solved or unsolved technical, business or organizational challenges, or issues involved in adopting, maintaining or evolving a computing related product. - Specific techniques (organizational, architectural, etc.) used to address computing research and development issues in practice. In order to encourage industrial authors who cannot afford the commitment of writing a full paper to contribute technically to the proceedings, we invite submissions of extended abstracts of 1-2 pages in the prescribed format. Extended abstracts should address topics consistent with the overall goals of the industry track. Authors are encouraged to share successes, challenges and unanswered questions — the objective should be to identify important points for further discussion during the conference. Industry oriented papers or case studies are not treated in the same way as research papers and papers will be reviewed separately from research papers. Only the extended abstract will be reviewed for appropriateness to the themes of the conference and will be published in the conference proceedings. Marketing material unfortunately is not acceptable. Submit industry oriented papers in .PDF format, using the conference submission system at: https://www.softconf.com/b/saicsit2010/. Papers must be formatted according to the prescribed format. Accepted industry oriented papers must be presented at the conference and extended abstract of up to 2 pages will be published in the ACM International Conference Proceedings Series. Industry oriented paper submission are not anonymous and should contain the names and contact details of the authors. ------------------------------------- PANELS ------------------------------------- Panel proposals are solicited. An invitation is extended to participants with an interest in developing a panel session around a stimulating or controversial theme in the general field the main topics described above. Topics and/or themes for a panel session may also be proposed by individuals with an interest in chairing a panel on a topic that intrigues them. Preference will be given to topics that raise forward-looking and/or contentious issues, and that promote debate among panel members and involvement of the audience. All suggestions will be assessed for their topicality and ability to generate stimulating debate. Submit a panel proposal and a panel abstract (2 pages in total) by 1 July 2010. Send your proposal to the conference organizers: saicsit2010(a)gmail.com. Submissions for panels are NOT anonymous, but will be reviewed by leaders in the appropriate area. The proposal should include the proposer’s name and affiliation as well as the names and affiliations of possible panel members. Abstracts should be formatted according to the prescribed format. The description of accepted panels will be published in the conference proceedings. ------------------------------------- POSTGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM ------------------------------------- SAICSIT 2010 offers a unique opportunity for postgraduate students at masters and doctoral levels to actively engage with knowledgeable and experienced researchers on the first day of the conference (11 October 2010). Successful students will be required to present their research during the dedicated sessions, and will also be required to display their work by means of a poster for the duration of the conference. See separate call for papers. ------------------------------------- WORKSHOP ON ICT USES IN WARFARE AND THE SAFEGUARDING OF PEACE ------------------------------------- The field of ICT security and its uses in warfare and the safeguarding of peace are wide and include various technical, legal, managerial, social, operational and even ethical issues. The aim of this workshop is to focus the efforts of academia, military, industry and government to promote creative thinking in this field and the promotion of viable solutions to unanswered questions. We are looking for contributions in the form of research papers, case studies, lessons learned, current research or research in progress results. Accepted papers will appear in the workshop proceedings with an ISBN number and will be peer-reviewed. See separate call for papers. ------------------------------------- VENUE FOR SAICSIT 2010 ------------------------------------- SAICSIT 2010 will this year take place from 11 to 13 October 2010 in an African bushveld atmosphere at the beautiful Forever Resort Warmbaths, in the town of Bela-Bela (formerly known as Warmbaths), 100 km north of Pretoria (see http://www.foreverwarmbaths.co.za/) The resort is less than 2 hours drive on the N1 from the Oliver Thambo International Airport in Johannesburg. --------------------- Prof Paula Kotzé Chief Researcher Research Group Leader: Human Factors and Enterprise Engineering Meraka Insitute CSIR Building 43 Room C339 P O Box 395 Pretoria 0001 South Africa Telephone: + 27 (0)12 841 4791 Fax South Africa: 086 666 8013 Fax International: +27 12 841 4720 E-mail: paula.kotze(a)meraka.org.za URL: http://www.meraka.org.za ACM SIGCHI: Vice President At Large (2009 2012) - http://www.sigchi.org IFIP: Chair WG 13,1 - http://www.hcieducation.org SAICSIT: Vice President - http://osprey.unisa.ac.za/saicsit/ University of South Africa: Professor Extraordinaire Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University: Adjunct Professor North West University: Extraordinary Professor --

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M4D in East Africa Pre-call M4D2010
by Yaw Anokwa 16 Feb '10

16 Feb '10

The 2nd International Conference on M4D - Mobile Communication Technology for Development (M4D2010) The conference is the second international conference in M4D following the inaugural conference in Karlstad, Sweden in 2008 (http://m4d.humanit.org/) and M4D in East-Africa 2008 (http://m4d.kcl.co.ug/) The conference will be located in Kampala, Uganda in early November 2010. M4D2010 aims to provide a forum for researchers, practitioners and all those with interests in the use of Mobile Communication Technology for Development. M4D2010 will combine two days of plenary peer-reviewed paper sessions, with two days of workshops, panel sessions, discussion forums, and demos. M4D2010 will be one of the most exciting m4d events of 2010! Important dates: Submission deadline: 1 July 2010 Acceptance note: 31 August 2010 Final papers due: 30 September 2010 More information will follow shortly. Gudrun Wicander Conference Coordinator Gudrun.wicander(a)kau.se Centre for HumanIT http://www.humanit.org Karlstad University, Sweden www.kau.se

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Re: [change] iWorld Event: Panel on International Careers in Information Science
by Melody Clark 15 Feb '10

15 Feb '10

Hello, everyone! There was high demand for an online format of the International Careers in Information Science panel held on January 26, 2010 (details below). In response, we audio recorded the event, and the MP3 file is now available at: http://depts.washington.edu/iworlduw/internationalcareers2010.mp3 Thank you, Mel -- Melody Clark MLIS Candidate 2010 - University of Washington Gates Foundation Global Libraries Graduate Research Assistant Getty Images Search Intern ALISS Co-President 2009-2010 iWorld Co-Chair 2009-2010 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: mobile: 206.303.7910 email: melody.r.clark(a)gmail.com or melclark(a)u.washington.edu > -----Original Message----- > From: Melody Clark > Sent: Jan 15, 2010 9:03 AM > To: imsim(a)uw.edu, imlis(a)uw.edu, iphds(a)uw.edu, imajors(a)uw.edu > Subject: [iMLIS] iWorld Event: Panel on International Careers in > Information Science > > Hello! > > iWorld is hosting a panel of professionals working in information science > in an international context on January 26, 2010 at 6pm. Join us for > engaging conversation, insights into working with international populations > and internationally, and yummy snacks and refreshments! > > *When:* Tuesday, January 26, 2010 from 6pm-7:30pm > > *Where: *Mary Gates Hall (MGH) 420 > > *Why:* You are considering a career in an international context, either > working here in the States or abroad > > *What:* Engaging dialogue, refreshments, and fun, interesting people! > > *Who is on the panel: * > > *Darren Hoerner:* Darren Hoerner is a program officer in the Global > Libraries (GL) initiative at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In this > role, Darren spearheads the exploration of opportunities for partnerships in > Africa and the Middle East. He also manages a current grant in Botswana to > improve people’s lives through increasing access to information technology > in public libraries. Darren is also working on numerous grants to support > and encourage young leaders, innovation, and training of librarians in the > information professions internationally. Darren joined the foundation in > 1997 to provide research and analysis for a program that connected 11,000 > public libraries in the United States to the Internet. He holds a Master’s > degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Washington. > * > Ricardo Gomez:* *Ricardo Gomez is Assistant Professor at University of > Washington's Information School. He specializes in the social impacts of > communication technologies, especially in community development settings. He > is also interested in qualitative research methods, and in group > facilitation and process design. He seeks creative ways to communicate > complex ideas and research results in everyday language. He has worked with > private, public and non-profit sectors around the world, with a particular > focus on Latin America and the Caribbean. Before joining the University of > Washington he worked with Microsoft Community Affairs, and with the > International Development Research Center in Canada. He holds an MA from > Université du Québec à Montréal (1992) and a Ph.D. from Cornell University > (1997).* > > *Valerie Wonder: *Valerie Wonder is a librarian at The Seattle Public > Library with many years of experience working with immigrants and refugees > in Washington State. Valerie spent three years as Immigrant and Refugee > Program Manager at the library, prior to which she worked as Community > Programs Manager at the International Rescue Committee. Valerie has done > capacity building and training in libraries throughout the United States and > Africa, first as a trainer for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, later > as a volunteer for the World Library Partnership and the Peace Corps, and > most recently as a consultant for U.S. Embassies in Ethiopia, Kenya, and > Tanzania. Valerie received her masters degrees in Library and Information > Science and Public Administration from the University of Washington. > > *Questions?:* Contact Melody Clark at melclark(a)uw.edu<melody.r.clark(a)gmail.com>or 206.303.7910 > > See you there! > iWorld > > -- > Melody Clark > MLIS Candidate 2010 - University of Washington > Gates Foundation Global Libraries Graduate Research Assistant > ALISS Co-President 2009-2010 > iWorld Co-Chair 2009-2010 > ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > mobile: 206.303.7910 > email: melody.r.clark(a)gmail.com or melclark(a)u.washington.edu > > > >

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Spring 2010 Course on Information & Communication Technologies and International Development (ICT4D)
by Melody Clark 13 Feb '10

13 Feb '10

Hello! I wanted to let you all know about a fantastic course being offered in the Information School during the Spring 2010 Quarter. The course will explore how information and communication technologies (ICT) affects development (ICT4D). The course number is INSC 598, and the course description can be found here <http://www.washington.edu/students/icd/S/insc/598rgomez.html>. If you have questions about the class, I'd be more than happy to try to answer them or you can email the professor, Ricardo Gomez, at rgomez(a)uw.edu. I have also attached a PDF of the course description and details. Hope to see you in this class - I, for one, am very excited about it! Melody -- Melody Clark MLIS Candidate 2010 - University of Washington Gates Foundation Global Libraries Graduate Research Assistant Getty Images Search Intern ALISS Co-President 2009-2010 iWorld Co-Chair 2009-2010 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: mobile: 206.303.7910 email: melody.r.clark(a)gmail.com or melclark(a)u.washington.edu

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Lumana Hosts Microfinance and Microbrews Night in Seattle
by Yaw Anokwa 12 Feb '10

12 Feb '10

lumana started at uw and has given talks at change. if you don't know about lumana or the seattle microfinance community, now is your chance to find out more... ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Dear Lumana Supporters, I am excited to say that Lumana has been selected by SeaMo to be February's Microfinance and Microbrew hosts. SeaMo (http://www.seattlemicrofinance.org/) is well known in the Seattle community for hosting networking events and speakers series and providing a website that serves as an events calendar, jobs board, community forum, and news source for those interested in getting involved in microfinance. Join us as we talk about some of our most recent initiatives and enjoy a chance to meet other people working in the microfinance and sustainable development space. The event will be hosted at the Pyramid Alehouse on Thursday, February 18th from 6-9pm. To learn more, please see the attached event invitation or go to the Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=287554628479&ref=mf. We look forward to seeing you all there! The Lumana Team

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Sylvain Cibangu on Contributions of Cell Phones on Corn Growers in the Congo
by Yaw Anokwa 12 Feb '10

12 Feb '10

This Thursday at Change, Sylvain Cibangu will be discussing his upcoming work on the contributions of cell phones to economic development in Africa. Specifically, he is doing an information study of corn growers’ experiences in the Congo. "The last few decades, information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D) has been seeing unprecedented cell phone spread across the globe. By the same token, extensive literature shows cell phones to be the shaper of economic development in rural areas of developing countries. However, experts bemoan little to no systematic study showing cell phones’ effects on individuals’ development in rural areas, all of which is coupled with increased anecdotes, donor-sponsored stories, and context-independent figures. More particularly, the basic needs of users in rural areas have received little attention. In fact, cell phone literature has focused on m-banking, micro-credits, markets, prices, transactions, ease of travel, entrepreneurship, and the like, assuming that, as is the case in the developed world, users’ basic needs are taken care of. The present project seeks to fill this gap by investigating cell phone usages with regard to corn growers’ basic needs in the Congo. To this end, the projects employs the information model (iModel), combined with capabilities approach (CA). IModel focuses on information uses and context-specific users and needs whereas CA understands development as the expansion of human capabilities. The goal is to allow cell phone-led development that enhances corn growers’ capabilities." What: Sylvain Cibangu on Contributions of Cell Phones on Corn Growers in the Congo When: Thursday, February 11 at Noon Where: UW, Paul Allen Center, Room 403

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Evoke Network alternate reality game
by Ed Cutrell 12 Feb '10

12 Feb '10

Very cool-alternate reality game from World Bank folks & Jane McGonigal (of I Love Bees fame), designed for teaching about social entrepreneurship. Anyone know any of these folks or other things about it? It could be really interesting to see where this goes & how it works.... -ed http://www.urgentevoke.com/ Trailer: http://vimeo.com/9094186

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GHC Tech fellowships
by Yaw Anokwa 11 Feb '10

11 Feb '10

got a message from a friend who is the program director for global health corps. this sounds like an great opportunity for those folks who want to work in global health and technology. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- We've just opened applications for our second year of Global Health Corps fellowships--have had a pretty good response thus far--1800 applicants registered in the first 10 days! But we're lagging behind in recruiting on some of our more technical fellowships. We have two IT/tech fellowships this year--one with PIH Malawi and the other with Dignitas International in Malawi. If you have any friends/colleagues with some programming and/or IT skills that you think might be interested in working in Malawi for a year, any recommendations would be SUPER appreciated! You can check out the job overviews here: http://apply.ghcorps.org/fellowships/73 and here http://apply.ghcorps.org/fellowships/85 Programming/IT is an area that we generally found more challenging to recruit in last year, so if you have any thoughts about good places/sites/schools/blogs/communities to reach out to where we might encounter tech folks interested in working in Africa that would also be fab!

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Letters of Inquiry for Grand Challenges Point-of-Care Diagnostics Grants
by Marisa Duarte 11 Feb '10

11 Feb '10

Maybe of interest to the group. Gates Foundation Letters of Inquiry for Grand Challenges Point-of-Care Diagnostics Grants http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/rfp_item.jhtml?id=282900018 Grants totaling $30 million will be awarded to organizations working to create technologies that can be used to assess patients at the point of care in the developing world

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ICT4D Research: Size and Growth
by Yaw Anokwa 09 Feb '10

09 Feb '10

Richard Heeks asks and answers an important question “How big is the ICT4D research field?” Any thoughts on his numbers? http://ict4dblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/08/ict-for-development-research-size…

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