Objectives and Research Themes

The overall objective of the Radio, Convergence and Development in Africa research competition is to build a body of research evidence on radio and its integration with various other communications technologies in order to understand the social, economic, political and policy issues that are relevant indicators and proxies for development in Africa. The project aims to support research on collecting baseline data, evidence of outcomes and impacts, crosscutting methodological issues, and future trend analysis.

Carleton University's CMTS opted to begin this process by refining the research agenda through a brainstorming session with a group of experts and practitioners held in Huye, Rwanda, in September, 2009.

Recognizing the particular importance of examining issues around gender in this field of research, a paper on radio, convergence and development vis-à-vis gender was commissioned for presentation at the brainstorming session (Gender as a Cross-Cutting Issue). The following major research themes emerged from the brainstorming retreat in Butare and will be priorities for the Radio, Convergence and Development in Africa research program:

Gender

Gender was identified as a crosscutting theme and should therefore be recognized as an element in all proposed research projects. Clearly in Africa there are currently constraints that prevent women from equitable participation in the world of radio - either as producers or consumers. Such constraints can be found in the policy sphere, in the area of physically and socially accessing the technologies and tools, or in how the programming, operations and messaging of radio are conducted.

In terms of methodology and implementation of the project, the Carleton team is conscious of the need to be gender aware in the implementation of this project, both in terms of the individual researchers awarded grants and the focus of the research projects themselves. We will be conscious of these gender constraints when awarding grants and will make this clear in the criteria published in the call for proposals. Pro-active intervention will be required to ensure that the target population of grant recipients will be gender balanced.

The following themes were identified as research priorities, in no specific order of priority:

Impact of ICTs on sustainability

Research proposals could aim to:

Examine the impact of ICTs on funding and revenue models for radio stations
Examine the potential for strategic revenue partnerships ( for radio and ICTs)
Explore the potential to set up radio and ICT networks
Compile, based on existing data sources and new collection practices, statistical information and mapping of radio stations, and radio penetration
Explore innovative ways to collect, analyze and visualize baseline data
Look for future revenue streams and how pro-poor radio can develop existing sources of income, generate new ones and develop corresponding new business-models to help sustain itself into the future.
Document the impact on practitioners of ICT-related training, capacity-building and organizational development in the radio sector

Policy and Regulatory Environment

Research proposals could aim to:

Collect data regarding policy and regulatory environments as they pertain to the typologies, reach, programming and outcomes of radio and ICT convergence
Conduct cost-benefit analyses of radio use in development projects
Provide analyses of the relative capacities of various forms of radio to reach the poor
Map civil society organizations and advocacy groups that are working toward media democratization in regions where freedom of information is limited

Context

Research proposals could aim to:

Document contextual factors that inhibit the potential of radio and ICTs to reach and be used by marginalized social groups or rural communities
Examine the issue of appropriate technology as it relates to the convergence of radio with other ICTs
Confront the issue of gender and minority access and inclusion in radio broadcasting
Explore the role of radio and other ICTs in inciting or preventing violence in vulnerable societies
Examine how Africans are likely to use and experience radio in the future - particularly the future of wifi radio and convergence with mobile telephony
Identify regions where appropriation of radio and ICTs has been limited by geographical isolation, conflict, violence or political instability