Shaping Social Innovation in Local Communities: The Contribution of Intermediaries

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Abstract

Participatory social innovation projects often involve the coming together of design researchers, community development groups, and community members to develop (often technological) solutions to social problems or challenges. "Intermediaries" are specific individuals and organisations who contribute to these projects by translating intentions, values and experiences between design researchers and communities. Previous research has not yet critically examined the role of intermediaries in such projects. This paper does so in a project carried out in rural areas of Europe, which sought to test and develop a technology to support the creation of FM community radio stations in isolated areas. We present the project as a biography of infrastructures to provide an account of intermediaries' interactions during the project's unfolding. We find that how intermediaries shape the social base and ends of the project, and the interpretation of the technology involved, is influenced by their position, goals, and relationships in the process.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNordiCHI 2020 - Proceedings of the 11th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction
Subtitle of host publicationShaping Experiences, Shaping Society
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
ISBN (Electronic)9781450375795
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Oct 2020
Event11th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction: Shaping Experiences, Shaping Society, NordiCHI 2020 - Virtual, Online, Estonia
Duration: 25 Oct 202029 Oct 2020

Publication series

NameACM International Conference Proceeding Series

Conference

Conference11th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction: Shaping Experiences, Shaping Society, NordiCHI 2020
Country/TerritoryEstonia
CityVirtual, Online
Period25/10/2029/10/20

Keywords

  • Community Radio
  • Intermediaries
  • Participatory Design
  • Social Innovation

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