PhD Research Ideas in the field

of ICT4D or HCI4D
Biju Thankachan
HCI Definition (ACM)
• Human Computer Interaction is a discipline concerned with the design,
evaluation and implementation of interactive computing system for human
use and with the study of major phenomenon sorrounding them (Hewit,
Baecker, Card et. el 2007)

• HCI4D – HCI research that addresses the needs or aspirations of people in

developing regions, or that addresses specific social cultural and/or
infrastructural challenges of developing regions. It encompasses
• Development Informatics
• ICT and Development
• Information Technology and International Development
Previous studies
• Social Impact of ICT in developing countries (Bhatnagar and Odera,
1992) – one of the first studies in the field
• Designing a GUI for healthcare workers in Rural India (Grisedale,
Graves et. el, 1997)
• Cell Phone usage in Jamaica (Horst and Miller, 2006)
• Middle Class computer usage in South Asia (Bell, 2006)
• Internet Cafe usage in Ghana (Burrell, 2009)
• Rural Wireless Networks (Surana, Patra et. el. 2008)
Challenges – Interaction Design
• Infrastructure
• Difference in information needs
• Little exposure to computing technologies
• Low literacy or linguistic knowledge restricted to local language
• Differences in socio-cultural practices, responsible for differences in
mental model
Motivation
• Low literacy level, diverse background, young discipline, unfamiliar
users
• Mnemonic bases systems
• Speech interfaces
• Visual representation for communicating information

Such constraints have led to new approach of user-centered design and systems
such as
• Jadoo System (Chand and Dey, 2006)
• Bollywood Method (Chavan, 2005)
• BingBee (Slay, Wentworth et.el, 2007)
What I plan to do
• Working with Mitanins (Community Health Worker) in rural areas
• Mitanin (literal meaning friend)
• Health education and improved public awareness on health issues
• Collective community level action for health
• Treat minor ailments and first-aid
• Design and prototype development and evaluation of handheld/mobile
system for Mitanins (Community Health Worker) for training
• Semi literate - Illiterate friendly software/tool
• Accessible
• Local language
• Study the technology intervention in their activities
Preliminary Research Plan
• Observing how the Mitanins operate, what kind of tools they use.
(Paper, pencil)
• What technology interventions can be thought of?
• What would be the approch towards design?
• What type of modalities to use?
• Design and development of prototype.
• Conducting usability studies.
• Target Area – Durg, Raipur District of Chhattisgarh (a state in Central India)
• Total Population of the state – 25 Million (2,55,40,196 as per 2011 census)
• Total number of Mitanins the state – 60000+
• % Literacy – 61%

• Suitability of my candidature??
• Contacts with resource persons who are already working in Government sponsored
projects (National Rural Health Mission)
• Contacts with bureaucracy and officers in Government departments, so that I can get
necessary permissions/access
• Proximity to aanganwadis, I myself reside close to such centres
• Contact with local student/engineers for longitudinal studies
Motivation for this research
• Bridging the digital divide, possibility of making a change to the society,
positively impacting a large population.
• Making ICT4D and HCI4D accessible to rural users, expanding HCI capacity
• Bringing to practice what I have learned in the Human-Technology
Interaction Masters program – viz Human Centered Design, Cross Cultural
Design, and Interaction Techniques
• New ways of interaction for distinct users – augmenting what is already
available
• Chance to design a system from scratch (without reinventing the wheel),
keeping in mind various usability principles
Possible Outcomes
• Publications in top conferences and journals in HCI
• Possibility of new approach/paradigm to Human Centered
Development
• Impacting a large population
• Promoting Healthcare
• Business model
• Personal satisfaction for contributing to the society (Maslow’s Need
Hierarchy).
Other ICT4D Related Studies in India
• Avaaj Otalo - A Field Study of an Interactive Voice Forum for Small
Farmers in Rural India (Neil Patel, Deepti Chittamuru, 2010)
• Revisiting the Fishers of Kerala, India (Srinivasan, Burrell, 2013)
• Content Creation and Dissemination by-and-for Users in Rural Areas
(Agrawal, Kumar et. el. IBM Research, 2009)
• Akshaya – Community Technology Centres, Malapuram, Kerala
• And many more, which also includes your work with partners in India
More information on Mitanins
• Evaluation of the Community Health Volunteer (Mitanin) Program,
Government of Chhattisgarh report
• Impact of community-based Mitanin program on undernutrition in
Rural Chhattisgarh - Sheila C. Vir (2014)
• Addressing the social determinants of health: A Case Study from the
Mitanin (community health worker) program in India – Nandi and
Helen Schneider (2014)