Advantages, Challenges and New Frontiers in Using Information Communication Technologies in Societal and Social Movement Research

Mayo Fuster Morell

doi:10.31269/triplec.v9i2.200

Mayo Fuster Morell European University Institute

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31269/triplec.v9i2.200

Keywords: ICTs research, online methods, social movements

Abstract

This paper includes a review of the main methodological trends and methods related to ICTs adopted in social movement research. It then reflects on the advantages and challenges of using ICTs for research. Finally, it suggests potential and new frontiers in the use of ICTs for research.

Author Biography

Mayo Fuster Morell, European University Institute

Mayo Fuster Morell is promotor of Networked Politics Collaborative research (http://www.networked-politics.info) and developes techno-political tools at the frame of the Communication Commission of the World Social Forum and European Social Forum (http://fse-esf.org). Currently Mayo is finishing a doctoral research on “The Governance of platforms of participation for the building of digital commons” at the European University Institute. She explores the democratic logic of the Internet in knowledge-making processes and the relationship between governance model and community growth. She compares World Social Forum, Flickr and Wikipedia governance models (http://www.onlinecreation.info). Last year she was visiting researcher at the School of Information – UC Berkeley and provided teaching assistance at the Communication Department – Stanford University. She co-wrote the books “Rethinking political organisation in an age of movements and networks” (XL Editorial: Rome 2007); “Activist research and social movements” (Spanish) (El Viejo Topo: Barcelona 2005); and “Guide for social transformation of Catalonia” (Catalan) (Edicions Col.lectives: Barcelona 2003). Mayo is co-founder of the Infoespai at Barcelona (http://www.infoespai.org).