Chris Coward

Chris Coward is the founder, Principal Research Scientist, and Director of the Technology & Social Change Group (TASCHA) at the University of Washington Information School. Chris divides his time between thinking about bigger-picture information and communication technology and development (ICTD) issues, conducting research, and overseeing TASCHA projects, which include activities in over 40 countries. Chris's own work focuses on examining the social and economic impacts of ICTs — with a special focus on community centers and libraries. Chris holds a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Arts in International Studies, both from the University of Washington.

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Global Impact Study presented for the first time at the 2008 World Library & Information Congress

August 21, 2008

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The Global Impact Study was presented — for the first time! — at the IFLA 2008 World Library & Information Congress, held from August 10–14 in Quebec City, Canada. This year's topic: Libraries without borders: Navigating towards global understanding.

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Phase one fieldwork: Generating research designs

July 1, 2008

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The Country Research Teams have focused their summer 2008 research activities that will inform the development of research designs for the next phase of the Global Impact Study project. The primary methodology employed for this purpose is information ecology mapping (also known as linkage or social mapping).

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First International Advisory Committee Meeting, June 2008

June 10, 2008

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The first International Advisory Committee Meeting for the Global Impact Stud project was held on June 2nd and 3rd, 2008, in New Delhi. Here's an overview of what we discussed and the recommendations that emerged.

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First Global Impact Study workshop held in Seattle

June 2, 2008

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The University of Washington Center for Information & Society hosted the first global workshop for the Global Impact Study from April 30 to May 2, 2008. This workshop brought together representatives from our three pilot countries (Bangladesh, Chile, Lithuania), along with members of the Research Working Group.

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Literature review launched

March 1, 2008

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The Technology & Social Change (TASCHA) Group has begun work to create a literature review that discusses the impact of public access to ICT and incorporates references from multiple languages. In addition to drawing on literature TASCHA has used in previous projects, members of the Research Working Group and other members of the Global Impact Study community have provided suggestions for references to include.

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