November 2011 - change - Mailing Lists

[SPAM] $35 touchscreen tablet launched in India
by Rahul Banerjee 30 Apr '12

30 Apr '12

Sorry for the spam, but I couldn't resist sharing such wonderful news: http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/India-announces-35-tablet-compute… (Actually, the government is subsidising its price (which would be closer to $50), but it's still pretty amazing that something like this exists at all) -- Rahul

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CFP: NUIs4D workshop @ CHI2012
by Ed Cutrell 30 Nov '11

30 Nov '11

(Yes, we're sticking the 4D suffix on yet another initialism! Please forward!) http://cs.swan.ac.uk/nuisworkshopCHI/ With the ubiquity of mobile phones, even in the poorest regions of developing countries, it is clear that now, and in the near future, these platforms will be the most influential platforms for ICT solutions in developing countries. Understandably, a good proportion of the work in HCI4D and ICT4D has focused on the technologically lowest common denominators to reach as many people as possible. Yet, there is also a need to look ahead to a near future that promises the widespread usage of increasingly sophisticated mobile devices. This trend is exemplified by the affordability of the so-called "low end smartphones" such as the IDEOS Android handset, which at the time of writing retails for ~US$60 in Kenya. Besides the increased processing power, memory and storage capability these devices feature a range of built-in sensors which opens new means of interaction. HCI research efforts in the developed world have spawned a new wave of mobile interaction forms and user interfaces based on embedded sensor and signal processing technology that will soon be economically available to people in developing regions. This has included context-awareness such as location, orientation and proximity; image recognition, augmented reality and geo-tagged information; and speech and language systems. Yet there is currently a limited research focus on how these can be made appropriately available improve mobile ICT solutions in the developing world. This workshop aims at identifying and discussing these new possibilities and matching them with existing unsolved problems. In doing so, we will create a roadmap for HCI research on how to proceed so that technological advances will also have a sustainable impact in the developing world. HCI Challenges When designing and implementing mobile solutions for developing countries, the interaction designers must consider a wide range of challenges beyond the technical issues, such as: * Illiteracy or semi-illiteracy among users. * Low computer literacy, i.e. no or highly limited knowledge prior knowledge of computer interfaces and established metaphors and paradigms like folders, drop down menus. * Language barriers and dialects. * Physical impairment of users. * Social and cultural differences resulting in different mental models and patterns. * Economic constraints. By creating more natural ways of interacting with mobile computers, we can lower the technical threshold and overcome semi-illiteracy for people in these places, and thus make new ICT solutions available to people for development in healthcare, education, conservation of indigenous knowledge, mobile banking, etc. These questions are timely. By focusing now on how the next wave of technology can address these challenges as it is becoming cheaper and increasingly available for developing regions, we will be better equipped to design, implement and deploy useful and usable applications and services when the technology reaches the intended users. Topics The workshop will bring together researchers and practitioners within HCI working on novel interaction and interfaces with those focusing on mobile innovations for developing countries. We aim to gather participants working in a broad range of developing countries. The topics and questions to be addressed in the workshop include: * Emerging technologies for mobile handsets that will gain widespread usage in developing countries in the near future * New interaction forms making use of interface gestures, gestures, speech recognition and synthesis, image recognition, augmented reality, location, orientation, proximity, geo-tagged information, and multimodal approaches. * Interaction techniques that acknowledge proximity of devices allowing the creation of ad-hoc services to support isolated communities. * New interaction metaphors and appropriation of previously proposed frameworks such as "magic wands" and data lenses. * Methodologies and techniques for designing and evaluating novel interfaces appropriated for developing world contexts. * New or improved applications and services for development that can be enabled through new interaction forms and interfaces within e.g. healthcare, education, payment and microfinance, indigenous knowledge conservation and environmental awareness. Important Dates January 13th 2012: Workshop submission deadline February 10th 2012: Feedback to authors May 5th or 6th 2012: Workshop at CHI2012 Submission We are looking for position papers and reports of research work addressing the themes of the workshop. Papers should be in the CHI Extended Abstract format and be between 4-6 pages in length. All papers will be reviewed by the organisers and additional external reviewers as necessary. Please send a PDF of your submission to leafcastle(a)acm.org<mailto:leafcastle@acm.org> by January 13th 2012. Organisers Kasper Løvborg Jensen Gary Marsden Ed Cutrell Matt Jones Ann Morrison

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Bill Lober from I-TECH
by Nicola Dell 29 Nov '11

29 Nov '11

This Thursday at Change Bill Lober, director of informatics at UW’s International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), will present an overview of I-TECH’s work in six countries, talk about what goes well and what doesn’t, and ask for some ideas on how to do it better. Bill Lober, MD MS, is an Associate Professor in the University of Washington Schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health, in health informatics and global health. In addition to his I-TECH role, Dr. Lober directs the UW Clinical Informatics Research Group (and is solely responsible for http://cirg.washington.edu being so out of date). His work in Global Health Informatics is primarily through I-TECH, where he directs projects in Haiti, Kenya, Cote d'Ivoire, Mozambique, Namibia, and Vietnam. These projects range from developing standards-based eHealth architectures (Kenya and Vietnam), through national surveillance and monitoring/evaluation systems (Mozambique), through support and/or development of facility level systems such as electronic medical record systems and laboratory systems (Haiti, Kenya, Cote d'Ivoire, and Namibia), to informatics training and local capacity development (Kenya and Haiti). His education and industry experience is in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and his clinical training is in Emergency Medicine. He appreciates a good sandwich. *What:* Bill Lober from I-TECH *When:* Thursday, Dec 1st at noon *Where:* Paul Allen Center, Room 203

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Re: [change] TASCHA Talk -- THURSDAY -- Developing a framework for Digitally Inclusive Communities to help improve access through collaborative action
by Karen Hirst 28 Nov '11

28 Nov '11

Sorry for the typo folks. Thursday, December 1. From: Karen Hirst Sent: Monday, November 28, 2011 1:07 PM To: 'istaff(a)uw.edu'; 'ifac(a)uw.edu'; 'iphds(a)uw.edu'; 'imlis(a)uw.edu'; 'imsim(a)uw.edu'; 'imajors(a)uw.edu'; 'tascha-uw(a)uw.edu'; 'iworld(a)uw.edu'; 'change(a)change.washington.edu' Subject: TASCHA Talk -- THURSDAY -- Developing a framework for Digitally Inclusive Communities to help improve access through collaborative action TASCHA TALK Developing a framework for Digitally Inclusive Communities to help improve access through collaborative action<http://tascha.uw.edu/2011/11/december-1-developing-a-framework-for-digitall…> Rebecca Sears & Samantha Becker Thursday -- December 1, 2011, from 3:45 to 4:45 pm Roosevelt Commons Building Rebecca Sears and Samantha Becker will discuss TASCHA's new project to develop a framework for digitally inclusive communities<http://tascha.uw.edu/2011/11/research/inclusionframework/>. In cooperation with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and as part of the U.S. National Broadband Plan, this framework will provide communities with a resource for assessing and building the capacity of public libraries and community-based organizations to meet the public's information needs. In this talk, Rebecca and Samantha will discuss the process and substance of the project, including: * Who is involved and how is the project engaging a broad range of stakeholders to shape the framework? * What are examples of different types of frameworks, and how did the project determine an appropriate structure for the digital inclusion framework? * What are some of the contents of the framework and why are they important? TASCHA Talks are bi-weekly sessions to share, discuss, and advance new ideas around topics related to technology and social change. Learn more at tascha.uw.edu/tascha-talks<http://tascha.uw.edu/what-we-do/tascha-talks/> .

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TASCHA Talk -- THURSDAY -- Developing a framework for Digitally Inclusive Communities to help improve access through collaborative action
by Karen Hirst 28 Nov '11

28 Nov '11

TASCHA TALK Developing a framework for Digitally Inclusive Communities to help improve access through collaborative action<http://tascha.uw.edu/2011/11/december-1-developing-a-framework-for-digitall…> Rebecca Sears & Samantha Becker Thursday -- December 3, 2011, from 3:45 to 4:45 pm Roosevelt Commons Building Rebecca Sears and Samantha Becker will discuss TASCHA's new project to develop a framework for digitally inclusive communities<http://tascha.uw.edu/2011/11/research/inclusionframework/>. In cooperation with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and as part of the U.S. National Broadband Plan, this framework will provide communities with a resource for assessing and building the capacity of public libraries and community-based organizations to meet the public's information needs. In this talk, Rebecca and Samantha will discuss the process and substance of the project, including: * Who is involved and how is the project engaging a broad range of stakeholders to shape the framework? * What are examples of different types of frameworks, and how did the project determine an appropriate structure for the digital inclusion framework? * What are some of the contents of the framework and why are they important? TASCHA Talks are bi-weekly sessions to share, discuss, and advance new ideas around topics related to technology and social change. Learn more at tascha.uw.edu/tascha-talks<http://tascha.uw.edu/what-we-do/tascha-talks/> .

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neal lesh on phone-based tools for community health workers
by Yaw Anokwa 27 Nov '11

27 Nov '11

i think most people on this list know (or know of) neal. he's an all around great guy and a big reason why we've been successful at much of the health work we do in uw-cse. neal gave a good talk on his work at the ict4d seminar at penn. you can find the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJeVwc6bK_k. if you haven't seen neal speak, it'll be well worth your time. you can find more videos from the penn seminar at http://www.youtube.com/user/ICT4DatPenn.

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No Change seminar this week
by Nicola Dell 21 Nov '11

21 Nov '11

hey everyone Just a reminder that there will be no Change seminar this week. Have a happy thanksgiving :-) Thanks Nicki

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Boosting infant nutrition with FoneAstra
by Yaw Anokwa 19 Nov '11

19 Nov '11

We just received some exciting news about a UW Change and PATH collaboration which has received Gates Foundation funding. According to PATH.org, "PATH will lead a new research project to develop a low-cost, cell phone–based system for human milk banks to monitor the safety of donated breast milk, supported by a $100,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Grand Challenges Explorations initiative. The system combines the power of cell phone technology with the simplicity of a low-tech flash-heating pasteurization process to ensure that breast milk donated to feed vulnerable infants is free of bacteria and viruses, including HIV, while retaining its nutritional value. The 12-month grant was made to a multidisciplinary team that includes PATH and two partner organizations—the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington and the Human Milk Banking Association of South Africa. The team will develop and field-test a networked temperature sensing system using FoneAstra (http://www.cs.washington.edu/homes/rohitc/foneastra.htm) a cell phone technology, to accurately monitor and validate temperatures during flash-heating. It will provide real-time, audiovisual feedback to users, allow automated supervisor monitoring, and archive results for review and audit. Flash-heating is a simple, effective way to pasteurize breast milk that is more affordable for human milk banks in low-resource settings than standard commercial-grade pasteurization. The total cost for the monitoring system will be less than US$100, compared to commercial-grade pasteurizers, which cost up to $12,000". Read more at http://www.path.org/news/an111107-infant-nutrition.php and congratulations to Rohit Chaudhri and the entire FoneAstra team!

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Samasource info session Monday, at the UW Career Center – fight poverty in your next eng internship!
by Rosalyn Mahashin 18 Nov '11

18 Nov '11

Hello, Change, Samasource, a nonprofit I joined after I graduated last year, is holding an information session this upcoming Monday for undergraduates and graduates interested in joining our engineering associate program. Please see details below. *=========**Samasource Information Session *Date: Monday, Nov 21, 2011 Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm Location: UW Career Center (LOBBY) 134 Mary Gates, Seattle Campus Speaker: Martin Anderson, VP of Engineering *Samasource <http://www.samasource.org> is a social enterprise based in San Francisco that connects people living in poverty to dignified work via the Internet. * * * We created a technology platform that distributes microwork to centers around the world. Microwork is a new way to fight poverty by enabling capable, marginalized people to complete digital tasks in some of the world’s poorest places. Our model provides direct income to thousands of people at a fraction of the cost of traditional aid programs and equips them with skills to succeed in the new economy. We’re looking for students and graduates interested in joining our engineering associate program. The associate program starts with a 10-week stipend internship period where a candidate will be introduced to our platform and pair with a senior engineer to build and deploy new features. Upon successfully completing the internship, the software engineer will gain increased responsibility over feature specification and implementation, helping us grow our platform and develop innovative solutions to ICTD problems like these: - Distributed, collaborative education and training - Remote, rural content delivery over high latency networks - Intelligent, automated task allocation and adaptive workflow - Mobile payments and messaging *We are a small, growing, dynamic team committed to changing the world with an innovative business model. To get a quick overview of what we do, watch this 50 second video on YouTube of two of our workers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96bSBNRCSoQ. *

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Fwd: [EGOV LIST] Research opportunities on Sensors, Empowerment, Accountability --- 3 PhDs and 1 postdoctoral scientist
by Alan Borning 18 Nov '11

18 Nov '11

channneling Yaw, here's a job advert relevant to the change group .... ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Yola Georgiadou <georgiadou(a)itc.nl> Date: Fri, Nov 18, 2011 at 1:00 AM Subject: [EGOV LIST] Research opportunities on Sensors, Empowerment, Accountability --- 3 PhDs and 1 postdoctoral scientist To: "ciresearchers(a)vancouvercommunity.net" < ciresearchers(a)vancouvercommunity.net>, "egov-list(a)u.washington.edu" < egov-list(a)u.washington.edu>, "egip(a)jrc.it" <egip(a)jrc.it> Dear colleagues, please bring these funded research opportunities to the attention of qualified candidates. **** Thank you**** Yola Georgiadou**** * * * * *Research opportunities on ‘Sensors, Empowerment, Accountability in Tanzania (SEMA)’* * * The research programme "Sensors, Empowerment, Accountability in Tanzania (SEMA) <http://www.nwo.nl/nwohome.nsf/pages/NWOP_8HZC8C_Eng>" is funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) under the WOTRO-Global Science for Development Programme. Three PhD candidates, one Postdoctoral Scientist and one software developer will be recruited. Here are the details of the research programme and how to apply for the PhD and Postdoctoral Scientist positions: < http://www.itc.nl/Pub/research_programme/Research_opportunities.html>. The deadline for applications is December 31, 2011.** ** ** ** ** prof. dr. yola georgiadou**** geo-information for governance**** faculty of geo-information science and earth observation (ITC) **** university of twente PO Box 6, 7500 AA Enschede - the Netherlands **** Hengelosestraat 99, 7514 AE Enschede - the Netherlands (visiting)**** ** ** tel ++31 (0) 53 4874 392**** fax ++31 (0) 53 4874 575**** email : georgiadou@itc.nl**** http://www.itc.nl**** ** ** ------------------------------ Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) University of Twente Chamber of Commerce: 501305360000 E-mail disclaimer The information in this e-mail, including any attachments, is intended for the addressee only. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or action in relation to the content of this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail by mistake, please delete the message and any attachment and inform the sender by return e-mail. ITC accepts no liability for any error or omission in the message content or for damage of any kind that may arise as a result of e-mail transmission. _______________________________________________ eGov-list mailing list eGov-list(a)u.washington.edu http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/egov-list

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