Proceedings of the ASIST Annual Meeting
Volume 45, 2008

ICT-mediated diaspora studies: New directions in immigrant information behavior research (Conference Paper)

Pyati A.* , Chu C. , Fisher K. , Srinivasan R. , Caidi N. , Allard D. , Dechief D.
  • a University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Information and Media Studies, North Campus Building, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
  • b UCLA Department of Information Studies, GSE and IS Building, Box 951520, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1520, United States
  • c Information School, University of Washington, Mary Gates Hall, Box 352840, Ste 370, Seattle, WA 98195-2840, United States
  • d UCLA Department of Information Studies, GSE and IS Building, Box 951520, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1520, United States
  • e Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, 140 St. George St., Toronto, ON M5S 3G6, Canada
  • f Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, 140 St. George St., Toronto, ON M5S 3G6, Canada
  • g Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto, 140 St. George St., Toronto, ON M5S 3G6, Canada

Abstract

A growing and sizeable area of study within information behavior research focuses on the information needs and behaviors of immigrant populations (see Chu, 1999; Fisher, Durrance & Hinton, 2004; Caidi & Allard 2005; Srinivasan & Pyati, 2007). Some of the unique needs of these populations include information to aid with coping skills and social inclusion, as well as culturally specific information resources. Moreover, immigrant communities have information networks that span national boundaries, which affects their needs and uses of information and communication technologies (ICTs). This panel will focus on the role of ICTs in mediating the information environments of immigrant and diasporic communities. While focusing on how ICTs mediate immigrant information needs, this panel also contextualizes immigrant information behavior research within globalization and diaspora studies. For instance, the concept of "e-diaspora" is a term gaining in popularity, but rarely invoked in relation to immigrant information behavior research. How do new media technologies mediate and influence the information needs and behaviors of immigrant populations? Are localized immigrant information needs mediated by diasporic information sources? The panelists will focus on ICT-mediated services for immigrant populations within the context of both local and global information environments. Questions addressed include: In what ways do diasporic information environments shape local immigrant information needs and their social inclusion into the host society? How does the "digital divide" manifest itself in studies of ICT-mediated immigrant information behavior? The issues addressed by the panel are both timely and critical as evidenced by the ongoing debates in Europe, North America and elsewhere on immigration policy, on integration and identity, and the role of ICTs in a globalized world. This international perspective will be reflected in the composition of the panel.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-71949110666&partnerID=40&md5=3c943a2110a6b3714ba6413837545f94
ISSN: 15508390
ISBN: 0877155402; 9780877155409
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English