Presenter: Johan Hellström, Spider advisor and PhD student at Stockholm University.

There is a growing body of evidence (although scattered and occasionally anecdotal) showing how mobile phones can be instrumental in giving insight into state affairs, helping in holding governments accountable, influence the political decision making process and open up for a deepened democracy through citizen participation. However, despite these seemingly “successful” initiatives, the real impact are under debate and a number of risks and challenges have been identified. The aim of this research is to fill some critical gaps in the knowledge about mobile enabled interventions to further our common understanding of what works, why and in what circumstances.

Johan Hellström is a M4D (mobile technology for development) advisor at Spider and PhD student at the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences (DSV), Stockholm University, where he is researching how ICT and in particular mobile phones may have an impact on transparency, accountability and participation. Prior to beginning his PhD studies, Johan worked as an ICT advisor at Sida and as an ICT4D coordinator at the Uppsala Centre for Sustainable Development. Johan has studied and worked in East Africa for more than nine years and is currently based in Stockholm, Sweden.

 

When? April 26th, 16:00.

Where? Lecture hall C, Department of Computer and Systems Sciences (DSV), Isafjordsgatan 39, Kista.

Who? The seminar is open to all.