Putting ICT in the Hands of the Seafarers
Yushan Pan · 2021
This paper proposes ethnographic action research on expanding participation in an ICT project in the maritime domain. Concepts from actor network theory are derived to provide a useful perspective on the description and analysis of the case. By analyzing two workshops, the paper discusses how power relations are balanced in a new heterogeneous network of actors, whose dynamical features align different actants’ interests toward a common sense. The relevance of the findings is discussed, related to how we might think about the role of researchers in the empowerment of marginalized groups. In this paper, I posit that the creation of a research and development culture to extend participation is helpful and relevant to making a well-organized technological ecosystem to the detriment of seafarers’ community well-being.