Communication & Creativity Research Flagship - Projects
Home Internet for Remote Indigenous Communities
Project Code:LP110200440
The determinants for success for home internet for Indigenous consumers in remote Australia
The Swinburne Institute for Social Research is conducting a longitudinal study into home internet and computing in remote Aboriginal communities in Central Australia. According to 2006 Census data, only 2.2% of Indigenous people in the Central NT statistical subdivision outside of Alice Springs have internet access at home, yet there is no existing evidence that points to the social, cultural and economic factors that may be influencing low rates of take-up and use. An initial baseline study was conducted with residents in three remote central Australian communities from August 2010 to February 2011, identifying barriers and drivers to home internet access and use. The project is now in its second phase of implementation: residents have received computers, home internet, training and maintenance assistance. Ongoing issues that influence computer and internet use in these communities will be documented, and the team will work with participants to resolve any problems that emerge. The third phase will involve a post-adoption analysis of use and technical issues.
The project was developed in partnership with the Centre for Appropriate Technology (CAT, an Indigenous owned research centre in Alice Springs) and the Central Land Council (CLC). The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) funded the first stage of the project, and the second phase of the project is funded through the Aboriginal Benefit Account via FaHCSIA.
Research Team
Swinburne: A/Prof Ellie Rennie, Prof Julian Thomas, Eleanor Hogan.
Industry Partners: Andrew Crouch (CAT), Alyson Wright (CLC), Robin McNaughton (ACCAN contact).
Publications and Other Research Outputs
Contact The Swinburne Institute
The Swinburne Institute
for Social Research
Mail 53
PO Box 218
Hawthorn, Victoria, 3122
Australia
+61 3 9214 8825