Things fall apart: maintenance, repair, and technology for education initiatives in rural Namibia

Authors:
Steven J. Jackson;Alex Pompe;Gabriel Krieshok
Affiliations:
University of Michigan;University of Michigan;University of Michigan
Venue:
Proceedings of the 2011 iConference
Year:
2011

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Abstract

Repair and maintenance haunt the margins of ICT and development ('ICTD') and broader information school scholarship, but have rarely received central theoretical or empirical attention in the field. This paper attempts to fill this gap. Theoretically, it explores ideas from the growing but scattered body of social science work around infrastructure, maintenance and repair, and argues for maintenance and repair as key sites of difference, innovation, power, and sustainability in ICTD settings. Empirically, the paper examines patterns and tensions in maintenance and repair in Rundu and the wider Kavango region in northeastern Namibia. We conclude with key findings and lessons for future ICTD and iSchool scholarship.