Shrinking the Digital Divide: Improving Digital Literacy in Rural Regions

This research would offer a new, policy-oriented comparative analysis of international digital literacy strategies aiming to lessen the digital divide. Unlike much of the existing literature, this research would place the focus on initiatives made to further develop digital literacy, rather than digital infrastructure rollout. This research would build on Chetty’s (2018) findings about the implications of low digital literacy in certain communities and would aim to expand the understanding of how policy-driven digital literacy programs can directly impact economic and educational outcomes in rural and Indigenous areas in Canada.
This research aligns closely with many of CIGI’s core research areas, focusing particularly on data, economy and society, as well as digitalization, security and democracy. This proposed research will emphasize the importance of developing digital literacy – an essential but glossed-over component of current strategies addressing the digital divide – to mend an ever-widening digital governance gap. This will ensure that even those living in the most sparsely populated of regions have the necessary skills to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.

Faculty Supervisor:

Marie Lavoie

Student:

Partner:

Centre for International Governance Innovation

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Education; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

York University

Program: