IVSA conference participation: paper on visual methods
/Conference partiicpation on visual methods
Read MoreConference partiicpation on visual methods
Read MoreWhat does medical anthropology and media anthropology have in common? Maybe it's something with communication and connections?
Read MoreInforming the public about a research project, as well as keeping interested individuals and organisations oriented about the project’s ongoing activities are the principal functions of a project home page. These are important functions but not the only uses such pages can be put to. In Mediafrica we have taken the homepage’s functionalities a couple of steps further: First, we have now used it to launch a web survey in Botswana. And we have also opened the project's Facebook page as a platform for data collection.
On February the 19th 2016 we launched – with the very good help of Niels Theissen, the project's web editor – a survey by way of the homepage and our accompanying Facebook page. Such a task is not a walk in the park and a great deal of work was put into it. For one, the technical side must be functional and reliable; we must be sure that those taking part access the questionnaire and can complete it without much ado. Moreover, as it is a survey about and for people in Botswana we needed to make sure it only reached those living in Botswana. It was also important that the questionnaire was designed and presented in ways that met sound methodological standards. And last, but not least, we needed to make the survey known and desirable to take part in. Two strategies were chosen; prizes were set up (three nice tablets) and solid PR. In addition to promoting the survey on Facebook, and making it public on the University of Botswana’s Blackboard, we chose to approach the largest privately owned radio station in Botswana, the Gabz FM. They met us with great enthusiasm. We wish to thank them for their very positive and creative response. Not only were they willing to give us airtime – on three different occactions actually – but they also gave advice to how to best promote the survey.
In addition, in order to spur the interest of possible respondents we launched 'teaserquestions' on our Facebook page every day for three weeks prior to the opening of the survey. The response to these questions have proved to be an interesting source of data for the project.
As it is now nearing its closing date (18th of March), we can surely conclude that the web survey has been a great success. A lot of work has been put into it (and some trial and error) but it now seems that we will receive more than a thousand responses. Too early, of course, to say anything about the content but we look forward in anticipation to sit down and analyse the results.
On March 8th - the international women's day - , Ardis Storm-Mathisen (Centre for Gender Research, University of Oslo) and Jo Helle-Valle (Development Studies, Oslo University College) met with Jane Bennett, Head of African Gender Institute (AGI), University of Cape Town, South Africa, to present the Mediafrica project and discuss common interests.
A fruitful meeting with Associate Professor Fiona Ross, at Department of Anthropology, University of Cape Town on the 8th of March 2016. Practical and academic issues pertaining to the project were discussed.
With strong support from Gabz FM we have launched a web survey on new media and development in Botswana. All Botswana residents are invited to take part, it will be open until the 18th of March and it takes no more than 10 minutes to complete. By taking part you give your contribution to a better understanding of how new media influence the development of Botswana. In addition you might be among the three lucky winners of a Lenovo tablet (Tab 2 A7 - 10).
The winners will be drawn on air, by Petula and Gabriel!, on the 21st of March, and if possible they will call you up and congratulate you. Nice, eh?
Get started on the questionnaire today!
http://www.mediafrica.no/survey
Invite your friends to participate in the questionnaire:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1518708148424209/
A survey consisting of 200 household- and 200 individual questionnaires (stratified randomly sampled) was started late January 2016 and completed 12th of February the same year in the village of Letlhakeng (which harbours approx. 1000 households and 8000 inhabitants). A couple of hundred questions spanning from general background information to specific ownership and use of new media were presented to the selected villagers. In addition almost 900 pictures were taken of the households that consented to this. Six enumerators were recruited locally. Some with completed Form 5-education and some not so much. But all proved highly competent and made did a great job.
How do new media play a crucial role in the religious discourse and approach of emerging prophetic ministries?
Read MoreWe’d like to welcome our new member of the Mediafrica’s research team, Nanna Schneidermann, from Aarhus, Denmark.
Read MoreThe proper infrastructure is a precondition but people and institutions certainly needs to be online. Are they in Botswana?
Read MoreRFID-tagging of cattle in Botswana - abstract for a book chapter submitted
Read MoreOn tuesday oct 27th, PI Prof Jo Helle-Valle, Oslo University College and Ardis Storm-Mathisen from University of Oslo, met withHead of Sociology Department, Head of Sociology Department, Professor M. Mogalakwe and Dr. Gabriel Faimau to discuss and prepare for the ICT/media-use survey to be conducted in Gaborone households before Christmas.
Read MoreBefore entering a field there are a lot of things that needs to be thought about, texts that needs to be written and signed. This blogpost gives you an insight into some of what this has entailed in the Mediafrica project.
Read MoreWhat kinds of access do elderly people in Kinshasa (DRC) have to new media, and in particular, to mobile phones? Surprisingly, instead of children providing their elderly parents with such devices, it is grandchildren who facilitate access, but sometimes in troubling ways.
New media practices and social change: A comparative study in sub-Saharan Africa. Article by Ardis Storm-Mathisen in Bulletine 2/15
Read MoreGoing to London for kick off
Read MoreBe a part of a dynamic Professional environment and unique academic network in a stimulating work environment.
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At the International Conference ‘Beyond Normative Approaches: Everyday Media Culture in Africa’ held at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, feb 2012, Jo Helle-Valle presented his early ideas of the Mediafrica project and met withfuture project partners.
Read MoreNew Media Practices In a Changing Africa is a multi-disiplinary research project funded by the Research Council of Norway.