Doctoral Dissertation Research: Cybernetworking and Rural Development in Latin America: Creating Development Opportunities for Rural Women

尽管现代计算机和通信系统的广泛使用通常被认为对发达国家的经济产生了深远的影响，但这些技术也正在重塑欠发达国家人民的机会和生计。这个博士论文研究项目将评估经济发展的一个日益增长但分析不足的方面，重点是信息和通信技术的价值，特别是网络网络的实践（使用基于计算机的通信系统为各种目的连接到广泛的网络）。该项目将研究整个拉丁美洲农村发展项目跨国网络基于性别的影响；特别是在物质、社会和政治方面存在的机会和限制，使当地妇女在完成当地政治和发展议程时无法访问和利用互联网资源。为了解决这个问题，研究将包括对100多名农村妇女领袖现有生活史的档案分析；这些妇女的电子论坛，以评估她们的优先问题；以及对当地项目官员和妇女的在线调查。将在国际农业发展基金（农发基金）Fidamerica项目所服务的国家进行两个说明性案例研究，以深入了解妇女的最佳和最坏结果。这些案例研究将包括与当地妇女进行密集的半结构化访谈、与关键信息提供者进行访谈、与当地项目管理人员进行焦点小组会议以及对当地档案进行研究。该项目将评价信息和通信技术对妇女发展项目的潜在应用，方法是描述围绕物质条件的文化政治以及支持或阻碍妇女获得成功的网络联网的社会和政治关系。通过在网络管理、地方项目、地方社区和家庭的尺度上了解这些政治的细节，将有可能确定政策影响和支出的关键地点。因此，发展组织、网络官员、地方项目管理人员和当地妇女将有可能最大限度地利用资源来实现其目标。这项研究不仅会使研究人群受益。它也有可能应用于与广泛的可持续发展问题有关的其他发展网络，它将加强对现代信息和通信技术对欠发达国家农村经济发展作用的理论理解。作为博士论文研究改进奖，该奖项还将提供支持，使有前途的学生建立一个强大的独立研究生涯。

7Although the extensive use of modern computers and communication systems generally is seen as having profound impacts on the economies of developed nations, but these same technologies also are reshaping opportunities and livelihoods of people in less-developed countries. This doctoral dissertation research project will evaluate a growing yet under-analyzed facet of economic development focusing on the value of information and communication technology, particularly the practice of cybernetworking (using computer-based communications systems to link into a broad range of networks for a variety of purposes). The project will study the gender-based impacts of a transnational cybernetwork of rural development projects throughout Latin America; specifically the material, social, and political opportunities and constraints that exist for local women to access and utilize internet resources in the accomplishment of their local political and development agendas. In order to address this question, research will include archival analysis of existing life histories of over 100 rural women leaders; an electronic forum of these women to assess their priority issues; and online surveys of local project officials and women. Two illustrative case studies will be conducted in nations served by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Fidamerica project to provide insights into best- and worst-case outcomes for women. These case studies will include the use of intensive semi-structured interviews with local women, key informant interviews, focus-group sessions with local project administrators, and local archival research. This project will evaluate the potential application of information and communication technology for development projects for women by delineating the cultural politics surrounding the material conditionsas well as the social and political relations that support or inhibit women's access to successful cybernetworking. By understanding the details of these politics at the scales of the network administration, the local projects, the local community, and the household, it will be possible to identify key locations for policy influence and expenditures. As such, it will be possible for development organizations, network officials, local projects administrators, and local women to maximize resources to achieve their objectives. This research will benefit not only the study population. It also has potential application to other development cybernetworks concerned with a broad range of sustainable development issues, and it will enhance theoretical understandings of the role of modern information and communication technologies on rural economic development in lesser-developed nations. As a Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement award, this award also will provide support to enable a promising student to establish a strong independent research career.