Access to, and use of ICTs is as a new civil right: an essential necessity to be a full citizen

The Digital Inclusion Policy and Research Conference 2019 (18 June to 19 June, London Campus of the University of Liverpool, University of Liverpool in London) brought together academic research with policy makers and stakeholders to review the current state for the art in digital inclusion policy and practice. DIPRC2019 drawn upon over two decades of research, policy, and practice. Over this time digital inequalities, digital inclusion and digital literacies have changed in response to developments in digital technologies and media. The primary aim of this conference was to link up international policy efforts to address digital inequalities, access and skills with the outcomes of recent research at from around the globe.

 

I underlined how the benefits of digital equity go well beyond the single citizen but impact on the community as a whole. We all known that an insufficient and unequal access to the Internet can create new forms of social segregation that exacerbate already existing social inequalities (Ragnedda 2018a). In fact, in a digital-reliant society being excluded from the digital realm means missing opportunities to improve one’s quality of life (Ragnedda and Mutsvairo 2018).

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Nominated by students for a teaching award

I have been nominated by students for a teaching award. This the fourth time, since I joined Northumbria University (Newcastle), that students nominate me for this award.

Here details of my nomination:

Why do you want to thank this person?

I want to thank him for delivering good lectures and explaining the content in a clear way to the entire class. His experience in the programme and his patience in helping to explain things if it wasn’t clear from the onset, is very helpful overall.

How do they stand out from other staff at Northumbria?

He shows a lot of passion and enthusiasm in teaching the class and has a way of explaining things that makes him stand out from other ‘teachers’ I have come across in my life. In the seminar slots, he is engaging and challenges the class perception on the subject at hand plus takes the time to listen to people when they try to explain their understanding of the class subject.