Please join us for the Change Seminar this week on Tuesday 2/6/2018 in MGH 206.

Please note the location change! The previous email was in error.

Who: Maria Garrido, UW Technology & Social Change Group (TASCHA)
What: Access to Information and Global Sustainable Development: The Development and Access to Information project (DA2I)
When: Tuesday, Feb 6th, 12-1pm
Where: MGH 206 (note the location change!!)

Abstract:
Meaningful access to information is a fundamental requirement that underpins the achievement of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. However, in order to have a transformative effect in people’s lives there must be an enabling environment in place that guarantees/fosters the rights and capacity of people to use, create, and share information in ways that are meaningful to each individual. The ability of information access to contribute to sustainable development is influenced by a combination of structural  factors (e.g., policies and physical infrastructure) and human/social factors (e.g., usage, population characteristics, and skills). Through examining the multiple facets of access – infrastructure, social contexts, capabilities, and policy and law – and exploring how libraries act as equal agents of information access and how access to information contributes to sustainable agriculture, better health, gender equality, and sustainable infrastructure, the report shows that access to information can transform lives. This research examines the state of access to information around the world and how it can advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the tracking of 17 global indicators examining the multiple facets of access – infrastructure, social contexts, capabilities, and policy framework. The Development and Access to Information project (DA2I) is a joint project between TASCHA and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).

Bio:
Maria Garrido is a Principal Research Scientist at the Technology & Social Change Group of the University of Washington’s Information School. Experienced in conducting multi-country studies that span diverse geographic regions, much of her research focuses on the appropriation of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to catalyze social change, specifically in communities facing social, political, and economic challenges. Keenly interested in the role of ICTs in social movements, youth employability, and skill development, Maria has worked closely with civil society organizations, NGOs, public libraries, and development funders to conduct participatory research that results in actionable recommendations for policy and practice. Recent examples of her research include the role of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in advancing youth employability in Colombia, the Philippines, and South Africa; employability of migrant women and e-skills in the European Union; and youth movements, ICTs, and the struggle for democracy in Egypt’s Arab Spring. Maria is currently leading a multi-year research effort focusing on the role of access to information in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She holds a Ph.D. in Communications from the University of Washington and a Masters in International Relations from the University of Chicago.