It is vigilant that ‘Digital-Divide’ has clearly divided the world into two groups; 'haves' or 'have not' of technology or information.  It is argued that Information Communication Technology (ICT) can contribute to socio-economic development of a developing country. This optimistic viewpoint has pushed the developing countries to implement different ICT interventions ( such as Telecenter, Multi-purpose community center) especially in their village areas with a hope to bridging digital divide. Though billion dollars have been spending in such projects, how far such interventions addressed the socio-economic developmental challenges remains questionable. Some of the impact research, however, tried to address this challenge, but they are based heavily on short term success stories and self reporting by NGOs. ‘Digital-Divide’ group, therefore, realize the importance of serious-systematic multi-disciplinary academic research including Information Systems and Development Economics.

Digital-Divide group is a research wing of Information Systems Lab (InSyL), School of Computer and Information Science, University of South Australia which is committed to further study & investigate 'Digital-Divide' research agenda in different geographical location considering local context. Our focus is not only in developing countries but also in rural-urban settings of developed world where Digital-Divide can also be observed.

Digital-Divide' Group research builds on: i) research undertaken at the InSyL, School of CIS, University of South Australia. where Professor Paul Swatman and his team studies the impact on rural, regional and remote (R3) Australia of the Federal Governments Networking the Nation initiative, and ii) continuing work at InSyL to investigate ICT-led developmental impact in rural areas in Bangladesh.Our team members are;

 Paul Swatman is Professor of CIS at the University of South Australia. He has numerous   publications in books, scholarly journals and international conferences. His research interests include the diffusion of socially pervasive ICT innovations and the impact of the digital economy on rural, regional and remote (R3) communities.

 Dr Jo Hanisch is a lecturer/researcher in IS at the University of South Australia, following a diverse career in science and the public service. She holds degrees in Science and Business; and a PhD from Deakin University. Her research interests include global software development; virtual communities of practice; the digital divide and sports IS.

 Md. Mahfuz Ashraf is a PhD candidate in CIS at the University of South Australia. He holds a Bachelor degree (Marketing) and a Master of Information Systems Management. His research interests include IT/IS adoption and implementation in rural-urban settings, impact study of ICT for development (ICT4D) and the digital divide.

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