E-merging subjects transgressing sociotechnical borders
Today’s electronic age has given rise to various “e”- terminologies that describe the move (at least in part) of various life activities to cyber space. Activities such as e-learning, e-commerce, and e-governance have erupted various e-citizens across the globe. Reference to “E-merging” subjects in the above title attempts to epitomise the whole concept of electronic age citizens. These individuals through cyber space merge as well as emerge as subjects that transgress space, time and even social borders. Within the concept of a developing country (Uganda) e-merging subjects that transgress sociotechnical borders, typify the route towards further development.
Background
We all are gendered beings and our social relations and existence are built up around highly gendered premises. Technology fosters the expression of gender in society and with the present heavily inclined technical reality; gender relations are therefore obtaining a facelift. The study of gender and technology can be seen as a social mutually constitutive process. In that gender can be viewed as a process that is constantly being done or performed, and hence re-produced depending on the social settings. And technology is socially shaped by the end user(s). The study of gender and technology is currently predominated by western accounts of experiences, and there is a growing interest or insistence on non-western accounts of the same.
Taking her point of departure from the concept of a globalised existence in the present electronic age, Caroline Wamala investigates Uganda’s gender and technology relations. She specifically researches computer technical abilities and how the transference or introduction of this technology has impacted on gender relations in Uganda. It is hoped that this study will contribute to the growing interest in gender and technology scholarship within the development discourse.
Purpose and aim of the study
Along with the aim of contributing to the study of gender and technology from a non-western perspective is the interest of obtaining results from the study that may contribute to development efforts in Uganda. Uganda and the rest of Africa for that matter lags behind the rest of the world in terms of statistical representation of internet connectivity. Taking this point further the African woman generally constitutes the highest percentage of underprivileged populaces. This said it is therefore the aim of this research agenda to highlight a Ugandan woman’s experience of technology in relation to that of a Ugandan man’s use of the same.
Summarily
Both technology and gender as social constructs have their borders that present a measure of difficulty when it comes to infractions. Caroline Wamala looks at those e-merging subjects in Uganda, both men and women, and how the experiences of transgressing the sociotechnical borders have impacted their gender identities.
Facts
”/…/ in using it [technology] and being part of it, I grew to love it and the power it gave me in terms of my relevance in the world” (quote from one of my informants)
"There is an under theorisation of the gender and technology scholarship from a non-western perspective" (Bray 2007)
Doktorand
Caroline Wamala
0920-491427
E-post: fornamn.efternamn@ltu.se
