Description and Mandate of the Chair

The UNESCO Chair in Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) is a group of researchers and practitioners committed to excellence in the use of ICTs for development.  It was created in 2007 through an agreement between UNESCO and Royal Holloway, University of London, and builds on the earlier work of the ICT4D Collective created in 2004.  It is one of only currently (2019) 19 UNESCO chairs in the UK, and the founding Chairholder is Tim Unwin.

The Chair’s primary focus has been on the highest quality multi-disciplinary research, and particularly on developing the skills and expertise of postgraduates at doctoral and Master’s level.  The group also uses its research to influence high level policy through its membership of, and partnerships with, international organisations, the UK government, companies and civil society organisations.

Objectives

• To deliver world-class research of benefit to the interests of poor and marginalized communities;
• To develop an innovative and flourishing postgraduate research community, including substantial numbers of students from poor countries;
• To deliver successful inter-disciplinary undergraduate courses in the field of this Chair;
• To train significant numbers of people from poor and marginalized communities through high quality short courses on policy-related matters delivered by the collective;
• To provide cutting edge consultancy and policy advice for those involved in delivering information and communication technology for development activities to benefit poor and marginalized communities.

More informations…

• Publications
• Research and Consultancy
• Current Initiatives
• Partnerships

(UNESCO No. 784)
(Ver. PBe 09-2021)