Post-January 2023 (Weeks 1-3) – Bloggity Blob
Ok I am behind on my blogging but didn’t feel I could really write anything as I had scrapped my initial ideas for my project and wanted to start something new. After a great meeting with JB to discuss some ideas I feel I am back on track. That’s why this feels like a bloggity “blob” of sorts.
What am I thinking about for my project? Well I have completely discarded my initial idea to explore repatriation of Indigenous objects, since, after doing some initial research I realized it was unlikely that I could deliver on this within the timeframe I have at the level of detail and quality I wanted.
New premise – still do a project on something that can actually effect real change but choose a topic a little closer to my wheelhouse so I can deliver successfully in the time allotted.
New idea – “How can we make sure our government services are inclusive, especially as we move into digital transformation and make more services available through digital means (which has impacts to improve inclusivity and also cause exclusion)?”
Methods – potential comparative analysis
– look at other countries who are further along in digital provision of government services and how they have addressed inequalities, inclusion, accessibility and compare it with Canada
-target a certain population that relies on government services and assess their barriers OR a specific government service and look at a few different groups and what their ease of access is like or would be like if improvements were made
-dig deep to see if this is a practical issue that can be resolved or a more fundamental problem
-create a blueprint for how governments should approach these issues to address them successfully
A few things that I learned about recently that pushed me in this direction was about the personal AI for government services that was brought online a few years ago by Estonia:
Bürokratt
touted as “Bürokratt – a virtual assistant, thanks to which citizens no longer have to spend a single extra minute communicating with the state.”
I have also been following the debates around the EU AI Act where I saw some discussion around how people’s data will be used but maybe not for their own benefit.
Additionally, I was thinking about how to link my project to my day to day paid work. Recently my workplace created an Information and Communications Accessibility Plan which reflects the goals of the Government of Canada’s Digital ambitions. I have always felt like “accessibility” wasn’t just about ensuring screen readers can be used or colour schemes were colour-blind proof. The way we present services (digital vs in person), how simple and easy the process is, and even the language we use makes a big difference! Any of these could be barriers to accessing the services you need.
I am planning to blog less frequently this semester, so I think the min every two weeks will be the goal. Not sure anyone else is feeling it but it seems like I have a bit heavier workload this semester with the frequency of homework from my classes.
It was nice to see (or hear) some familiar faces (or voices) during the intensive – hopefully our paths can cross more often.
I like the initial thoughts on method, particularly resulting in an actionable deliverable. I’ll be curious to see if the blue print is more of a framework, a toolbox or really prescriptive one-size-fits-all. I had a very similar conversation with J-B yesterday regarding mechanisms of encouragement discouragement of girls in computer science related studies (pre university) with a focus on what is happening through the education system (classrooms, curriculum, teachers, etc). We should keep in touch on project structure.