[Commlist] Digital Inclusion, Policy, and Research Conference (DIPRC) 2022

    Digital Inclusion, Policy, and Research Conference (DIPRC) 2022 -
    20th September 2022

The DIPRC 2022 confernce is open for registration.  This is a free 
on-line conference dedicated to research and policy that supports 
digital inclusion.

Registration link: https://events.digitalpovertyalliance.org/diprc-2022/ 
<https://events.digitalpovertyalliance.org/diprc-2022/>

Current programmes: https://easychair.org/smart-program/DIPRC2022/ 
<https://easychair.org/smart-program/DIPRC2022/>

We live in an age that is highly saturated with digital technologies. 
These offer a range of considerable opportunities in terms of 
socialisation, work, entertainment, and participation in society.  
However, they also present risks ranging from digital exclusion, and 
issues of privacy and financial safety to misinformation and online 
abuse. There has also been an ever-growing reliance on digital 
technologies within our societies, accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic. 
People’s main channels of communication have now, either partly or 
entirely, transferred to digital services, platforms and apps. As a 
result, everyday life is increasingly mediated by the internet and 
digital devices. This might include working remotely, interacting with 
family and friends, using services relating to health, undertaking 
leisure activities, following the news, or engaging in community or 
political activities.

These changes make it essential to ensure that different populations and 
groups are provided with equal opportunities to use and benefit from the 
use of digital technologies.  However, issues of digital exclusion and 
inequalities are far from resolved in our societies and, because of the 
pandemic, may have become more pronounced. These issues require 
research, policy and practical interventions that can address these 
inequalities. On the one hand, they can ensure that the digital 
environment is deployed, designed and run by ‘big tech’ and government 
in ways that are safe, accessible, and affordable. On the other hand, 
they can directly support different groups, especially the most 
vulnerable, to thrive in the digital age.

Indeed, how platforms and digital services are run and managed are often 
called into question because of under-regulation and the affordances of 
digital technologies – what these do or do not enable users to do. 
 Digital exclusion and inequalities can arise on multiple levels.  In 
terms of infrastructure and skills – from the rollout and pricing of 
digital infrastructure and services through to a lack of provision of 
educational and skills training.  Or in terms of the design of platforms 
and digital services. They are often designed, using algorithms aimed at 
providing personalised content and at boosting its visibility.  Though, 
it is now well established that algorithms potentially make it easy for 
issues of misinformation, polarisation, and online abuse to impact 
users. Very often issues of infrastructure, skills and online harm 
combine to further marginalise key groups or place them at greater risk.

These challenges lie at the intersection of research policy and practice 
around digital inequalities, inclusion, and literacies. These are at the 
heart of this fourth edition of the Digital Inclusion, Policy and 
Research Conference (DIPRC) 2022. As part of this conference, we invite 
scholars and practitioners to present their latest work on these topics. 
Questions that are particularly relevant to the conference include but 
are not limited to:

  * Which groups are the most vulnerable and struggle the most in terms
    of access, and/or benefit from the use of, digital technologies?
  * How should different groups be provided with the support they need
    to develop digital and data literacy skills?
  * How can key groups and communities use their knowledge to help them
    better navigate online risks and opportunities?
  * What types of policy and practical interventions are needed to
    tackle digital inequalities and promote digital literacy in our
    contemporary societies?
  * How can different governments, regions, and local municipalities
    respond to challenges relating to digital inclusion and digital
    literacy?

The conference aims to focus on global, national and local developments 
in this area, emphasising research, policy, and practice. Digital 
inequities have become an important part of broader persistent issues of 
social equity and justice. Key themes of the conference include:

  * Material and financial access to digital technologies
  * Digital literacy
  * Use of digital technologies by citizens and communities
  * The impact of socio-economic factors on digital inclusion
  * Users’ motivations to use, and attitudes towards, digital technologies
  * Socio-economic and socio-cultural variations in patterns of usage

Please register here: 
https://events.digitalpovertyalliance.org/diprc-2022/ 
<https://events.digitalpovertyalliance.org/diprc-2022/>


    Venue

The conference will be free to attend this year and held online - events 
will be scheduled to facilitate as far as possible attendance from all 
time zones.


    Important dates

Confirmation of proceedings - September 2022

Last registration date - 17th of September 2022


    Contact

For questions and other inquiries please email Dr Gianfranco Polizzi – 
(G.Polizzi /at/ liverpool.ac.uk) 
<mailto:(G.Polizzi /at/ liverpool.ac.uk)?subject=DIPRC%20Query>

We look forward to seeing you in September!


    Sponsors

This conference is supported by the University of Liverpool 
<https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/>, the Digital Poverty Alliance 
<https://digitalpovertyalliance.org/> and the Nuffield Foundation 
<https://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/> via the "Minimum Digital Living 
Standards 
<https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/humanities-and-social-sciences/research/research-themes/centre-for-digital-humanities/projects/digital-living-standard/>" 
project.

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