CPRafrica 2012 /CPRsouth7 2012 - Call for Abstracts
Connecting Africa & Asia: ICT Policy research and practice for the Global South

The third CPRafrica will take place from 5  - 7 September 2012 together with CPRsouth in Mauritius.

Introduction
Communication Policy Research Africa (CPRafrica) encourages intellectual endeavour and research in the area of ICT policy and regulation in Africa through the creation of a forum in which African academics and researchers can engage on and profile their research and contribute to global debates from an African perspective. The overall objective is to nurture policy intellectuals capable of informed and effective intervention in ICT policy and regulatory processes in specific country contexts.  This is an initiative of Research ICT Africa and draws on similar initiative by LIRNEasia – CPRsouth.  For the first time in 2012 these two partners will hold their conferences jointly in Mauritius. There is no more appropriate setting for this conference. Mauritius, itself an amalgam of Africa and Asia, is one of the most dynamic ICT markets on the African continent.
The conference will again provide a forum for senior, junior and mid-career change scholars to meet face-to-face and exchange ideas, network and improve the quality of their scholarly work for publication. The long-term objective is to foster the next generation of active scholars and local experts capable of contributing to good ICT policy and regulation in their regions.
The structure of the conference will offer researchers the opportunity to discuss their research on ICT regulation and policy in Africa, Asia and the South more generally, with a policy-oriented, international panel of senior academic referees and their peers from the regions.
 
Participants
The conference is designed to accommodate 35  papers presenters over the course of two and a half days, and the audience will be made up of 50 scholars involved in the field of ICT policy and regulation, broadly defined, including 20 Young Scholars from both regions.

Call for Abstracts
Abstracts for papers on ICT policy and regulation research carried out in Africa or relevant to Africa may be submitted for review and acceptance. Abstracts are due on 30 January 2012.
The list below provides some guidance to the subject matter of the conference but is not exhaustive.
• Convergence and broadband
• Telecom/broadcasting policy
• Extension of access and services – m- and e-gov, social networking, mobile money
• Data and methods for research on ICTs
• Governance of ICT and ICT for governance
• Intellectual property rights
• Internet governance
• ICT markets and competition
• National and regional innovation systems
• Indicators and evidence
• Regulation: Spectrum allocation, interconnection, licensing
• Policy: institutional arrangements, market structure, infrastructure extension
• Market innovation, competition and disruption
• Telecom operator strategies in emerging economies
• Content, rights and regulation

The actual program will depend on the papers received. The organisers reserve the right to combine topics and to not offer sessions for which sufficient high-quality submissions are not received.

Submission Guidelines
Abstracts should be submitted to info info@researchICTafrica.net by or before 30 January 2012 and must contain the following:
• the title of the paper
• your name and contact information,
• an abstract of the paper (no more than 1500 words)
• a curriculum vitae of no more than a page.
• The document must be named CPRafrica_Abstract&Bio_YourLastName.

Notification of acceptance of the proposed paper on the basis of the abstract will be e-mailed on or before 15 February 2012. Authors must submit their papers for review by 15 May 2012. No papers will be accepted after this date. The conference organisers reserve the right to reject the paper if it does not conform to the abstract or accepted academic standards.They will receive the reviewer’s comments by 30 May 2012, and will be required to complete any revisions for acceptance by 30 June 2012 for confirmation of acceptance by 30 July 2012.

Review Criteria
Abstracts will be reviewed according to the following criteria:

- Clarity of the thesis or the research finding
- Policy and regulatory relevance
- Novelty, significance, and importance to the CPRafrica community
- Adequacy of methods and analysis
- Quality of writing
 
Please note: Only the authors whose final papers that are delivered by the 30 June 2012 deadline AND who meet the quality standard will be allowed to present their papers at the conference and have their travel funded. Others may attend the event at their own expense or if they have applied for and satisfied the criteria for selection as Young Scholars.

Funding
Selected presenters will be provided with least-cost travel to and from Mauritius, accommodation and a per diem for the duration of the conference. All incidental costs will have to be borne by the participants.  Those who are able to receive institutional support to attend are requested to do so, to enable others who do not to be able to attend.

Key dates
Call for Abstracts out:    1 December 2011
Abstracts due:    30 January 2012
Notification of acceptance of abstract:    15 February 2012
First drafts due:    15 May 2012
Reviewer feedback due:    30 May 2012
Final drafts due:    30 June 2012
Post to website:    30 July 2012

Organising Committee
Prof Alison Gillwald (RIA , University of Cape Town); Prof Rohan Samarjiva (LIRNEasia), Dr. Taruna Ramessur (University of Mauritius).

See www.researchICTafrica.net for updates
Young Scholars Tutorials 2012
Young Scholars Seminar

3-4 September 2012 - Mauritius

Twenty Young Scholars from Africa and Asia will be selected to participate in the conference without having to fulfill the paper acceptance qualifications and  to attend an ICT policy research seminar prior to the conference to allow them to participate more effectively.

Application Guidelines
Applications should be submitted to info [at] researchICTafrica [dot] net  by or before 30 January 2012 and must contain the following:
• a one-page curriculum vitae that includes your contact information and the name and contact information of current supervisor or mentor, and
• a one-page write-up outlining why you wish to be an African or Asian based expert capable of contributing to ICT policy and regulatory reform in the region.

The document should be named CPRafrica2012_YoungScholar_YourLastName.
Notification of acceptance will be e-mailed on or before  30 February 2012 with instructions on travel arrangements.

Review Criteria
Applications will be reviewed according to the following criteria:
• Content of application
• Evidence of interest in policy-relevant research for the Africa or Asia
• Quality of writing
• Gender and country representation
 
Please provide the contact details of your supervisor or mentor as the selection committee may contact them before making the final selections.

Funding
Selected applicants will be provided with least-cost travel to and from Mauritius, twin-sharing accommodation and meals for the nights of the conference only. All incidental costs will have to borne by the participants. Costs are being tightly controlled to accommodate as many participants as possible.

Key dates
Applications due:    30 January 2012
Notification of acceptance to Young Scholars:    30 February 2012

See www.researchICTafrica.net for updates

Spectrum Valuation Masterclass with Prof Martin Cave
This one-day masterclass on spectrum valuation was convened by Prof Alison Gillwald and was part of a new component of the Graduate School of Business programme in Management of Infrastructure Reform and Regulation (MIR).  

It was offered in collaboration with Research ICT Africa and designed to enhance the strategic thinking of senior decision-makers in the information communication technology sector in developing countries and emerging economies.

The aim of the programme was to address the many challenges in spectrum management posed by the current stage of telecom reform to governments, regulatory agencies, operators, and other stakeholders.

Delegate profile
Decision-makers in telecommunications and related sectors in Africa including government; regulatory agencies; operators; ICT journalists and ICT specialists within unions, consumer groups and NGOs active in the sector.

Programme benefits:
• Delegates gains a deeper understanding of the spectrum valuation so that they can navigate its complexities.
• They considers the changing value of spectrum in the dynamic ICT market and the responses in different jurisdictions to this.
• They considers the merits of different approaches to valuation of spectrum, particularly in countries with resource constraints.
• With wireless access to Internet assuming a more prominent position in economies and societies, civil society and media can learn how to equip themselves to participate in its governance and to secure commons.
• The opportunity to reflect on the challenges and approaches to valuing in the company of peers and away from the daily demands of the office environment is essential.


Download the information sheet for further details.
Download the Programme.
The International Institute of Communications Annual Conference
The International Institute of Communications is a leading independent policy forum focused primarily on telecommunications, media and digital media policy and regulation, and their impact on business and society. Its 42nd Annual Conference, ‘Trends in Global Communications: Making digital society a universal reality’ on 3-4 October in Sandton, Johannesburg, was designed to meet the policy and strategic needs of senior industry executives, regulators and public policymakers in the telecommunications and media industries and has a strong African focus.  

Click here for the full two-day programme.
G I G A N E T - Sixth Annual Symposium
UNON complex, Nairobi, Kenya, Room 4 September 26, 2011

The Global Internet Governance Academic Network (GigaNet) held its Sixth Annual Symposium on 26 September 2011, one day before the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Nairobi, Kenya.
Since 2006, GigaNet has organized an Annual Symposium to showcase research about Internet Governance, focusing on an interdisciplinary approach. Prior successful symposia took place in Greece (2006), Brazil (2007), India (2008), Egypt (2009) and Lithuania (2010). In 2011, the Internet Governance Forum has entered its second phase, after having reached the end of its first 5-years mandate. The 2011 event provided room to discuss the challenges encountered and results achieved during the first five years of IGF. As in previous years the GigaNet Symposium further discussed current and future questions of Global Internet Governance.

GigaNet is a scholarly community that promotes the development of Internet Governance as a recognized, interdisciplinary field of study and facilitates informed dialogue on policy issues and related matters between scholars and governments, international organizations, the private sector and civil society. http://giga-net.org/

The symposium was organized in co-operation with Research ICT Africa (RIA). RIA is a network of researchers in 20 African countries conducting research on ICT policy and regulation and facilitating evidence-based and informed policy making for improved access, use and application of ICT for social development and economic growth. 

Preliminary program

Please check http://giga-net.org/page/2011-annual-symposium for program updates

9.00-9.15: Introduction & Welcome

9.15-11.00 Panel 1: Internet Governance Processes and Institutions
• Jeremy Malcolm (Consumers International): Arresting the decline of multi-stakeholderism in Internet governance
• Shawn Gunnarson (Kirton & McConkie): Theorizing fact-based policy development at ICANN
• Gitte Stald (IT University of Copenhagen): EU Kids online. Informing evidence-based policy for children’s online opportunities and risks

11.00-11.15: Coffee

11.15-12.15: Roundtable on the state of Internet Governance Research and Practice in Africa
Participants to be confirmed later.

12.15-13.45: Lunch

13.45-15.15: Panel 2: Theories of Internet Governance

• Biel Perez (Open University of Catalonia): Constitutionalism, global administrative law and the global internet governance
• Caroline Agguerre (Universidad de San Andres): Internet communities in Argentina and Brazil. Origins, networks and institutional development
• John Gathegi (University of South Florida): Internet anonymity, reputation and freedom of speech. The US legal landscape.

15.15-15.30: Coffee

15.30- 17.00: Panel 3: Internet Rights and Repression
• Matthias C. Ketteman (University of Graz): The legality of internet blackouts in times of crisis. An assessment at the intersection of human rights law, humanitarian law and internet governance principles
• Sanja Kelly & Sarah Cook (Freedom House): New technologies, Innovative repression. Growing threats to Internet freedom
• Robert Bodle (College of Mount St. Joseph): Upholding online anonymity in Internet governance. Affordances, ethical frameworks, and regulatory practices

17.15-18.15: Roundtable on the state of Internet Rights
Roundtable jointly organized by GigaNet and APC. Participants to be confirmed later.

GigaNet 2011 Program Committee

• Leo Van Audenhove – PC Chair, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
• Roy Balleste – St. Thomas University, Miami, USA
• William Drake - University of Zurich, Switzerland
• Dmitry Epstein – Cornell University, USA
• Marianne Franklin – Goldsmiths University London, UK
• Raquel Gatto – Catholic University of São Paulo, Brazil
• Alison Gillwald – Executive Director Research ICT Africa
• Nanette Levinson – American University, USA
• Milton Mueller – Syracuse University, USA
• Rolf H. Weber – University of Zurich, Switzerland

Contact

If you have any question related to the symposium, please e-mail the Program Committee Chair: leo.van.audenhove@vub.ac.be  
Connectivity and Convergence 2011: Alternative Regulatory Strategies for Telecommunications

The Executive Course "Connectivity and Convergence 2011: Alternative Regulatory Strategies for Telecommunications" has been postponed. For further information, please contact info [at] researchictafrica [dot] net

Programme Summary

Successfully offered through the UCT GSB in association with Research ICT Africa and LIRNE.net, this programme is designed to enhance the strategic thinking of a select group of senior decision-makers in telecom and related sectors in developing countries and emerging economies. The aim of the programme is to address the many challenges posed by the current stage of telecom and ICT reform to governments, regulatory agencies, operators and other stakeholders.  The certainties of yesterday are no more: traditional approaches to the licensing of networks and services is being challenged by converging technologies services and innovative business models; individual assignments of frequencies are being questioned in the light of new standards such as Wi-Fi and WiMax; the distinctions between wired and wireless are being blurred; classic price regulation is becoming less central to the missions of regulatory agencies; new pro-poor business strategies are challenging conventional universal service models; and all industry players are being challenged to address content issues at various levels.

Delegate profiles

Decision-makers in telecommunications and related sectors in Africa including government; regulatory agencies; operators; unions, ICT journalists, consumer groups and NGOs active in the sector.

Programme Benefits

  • Delegates will learn how to respond more effectively to the growing demands on the regulatory process and agencies, with the same resources
  • Policy makers will gain the knowledge of developments within the sector from current and relevant research to think in alternative ways about creating an enabling environment for development and growth
  • Regulators will be provided with alternative approaches to regulation, particularly in developing countries with resource constraints, to facilitate more effective regulation.
  • Operators will gain a deeper understanding of the regulatory process so that they can navigate its complexities
  • With telecom assuming a more prominent position in economies and societies, civil society and media can learn how to equip themselves to participate in its governance
  • Knowledge on how to deal with these new challenges is vital
  • The opportunity to reflect on these issues in the company of peers and away from the daily demands of the office environment is essential.
  • As part of the University of Cape Town's Infrastructure Management Programme, the course will be offered by LIRNE.net, a global collaboration of applied research and training entities in the South in collaboration with prestigious institutions and emminent professional  in the North, specialising in ICT policy and regulation, led by Research ICT Africa
Dates: 4 – 8 April 2011 (Applications close 1 March)
Venue: Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town, South Africa  
Tuition fees: R 16 800


Contact: Alexandra Allem
Email: aallem@researchictafrica.net 
Tel: +27 21 447 6332 
www.researchictafrica.net
Making Mobile Broadband Accessible for All
Research ICT Africa and the Management Infrastructure Reform and Regulation Programme at the Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town, in partnership with Vodacom convened a public seminar on 

Making Mobile Broadband Access Accessible for All.

Panel members:

  • Pieter Uys, Vodacom Group CEO
  • Alison Gillwald, Adjunct Professor of the GSB UCT - MIRR programme and Executive Director of the Research ICT Africa
  • Mandla Msimang, Managing Director Pygma Consulting
  • Dr Windfred Mfuh, Associate fellow of the University of Warwick Business School
  • Dr Martin Cave, BP Centennial Professor at the LSE
  • Eric Skhumbuzo Kholwane, Chairperson, Portfolio committee on communications

Date: 22 August 2011
Time: 17h30 for 18h00
Venue: Exhibition All at the UCT Graduate School of Business Portswood Road, Cape Town.

In order to assist with numbers for refreshments kindly RSVP to:

Lauren Klein (lklein [at] researchictafrica [dot] net)

Downloads

Download the invitation

Download the policy paper Making Broadband Accessible For All

Download the policy paper New Thinking on Next Generation Networks

CPRafrica 2011 : Convergence

The second CPRafrica took place on 15 – 19 April 2011 in association with the University of Nairobi, Kenya.

CPRafrica 2011 presentations available on the publications page.                                                                                                                                   

Introduction  

Communication Policy Research Africa (CPRafrica) intends to encourage intellectual endeavour and research in the area of ICT policy and regulation in Africa through the creation of a forum in which African academics and researchers can engage on and profile their research and contribute to global debates from an African perspective. The overall objective is to nurture policy intellectuals capable of informed and effective intervention in ICT policy and regulatory processes in specific country contexts. The conference provides a forum for senior, junior and mid-career change scholars to meet face-to-face and exchange ideas, network and improve the quality of their scholarly work for publication. The long-term objective is to foster the next generation of active scholars and local experts capable of contributing to good ICT policy and regulation in the region. The structure of the conference will offer researchers the opportunity to discuss their research on ICT regulation and policy in Africa and the South more generally, with a policy-oriented, international audience and obtain useful feedback.


Organising and Selection Committee

Dr Lishan Adam, Dr.Tracy Cohen, Dr. Kammy Naidoo, Prof Arsene Kouadio and Prof. Tim Waema and Prof. Alison Gillwald, Prof. Rohan Samarajiva (LIRNEasia) Prof. Roxanna Barrantez (DIRSI) Prof Leo van Audenhove (EuroCPR) and Dr. Martha Garcia-Murillo (TPRC).

Participants

The conference is designed to accommodate 21 paper presenters over the course of two and a half days, and the audience will be made up of 50 scholars involved in the field of ICT policy and regulation, broadly defined, including 15 Young Scholars.

Call for Abstracts

Abstracts for papers on ICT policy and regulation research carried out in Africa or relevant to Africa may be submitted for review and acceptance. Abstracts are due on 19 November 2010.
Proposed sessions include:
  • Convergence
  • Content
  • Comparative studies of ICT readiness
  • Data and methods for research on ICTs
  • Governance of ICT and ICT for governance
  • Telecom/broadcasting policy
  • Intellectual property rights
  • Internet governance
  • ICT markets and competition
  • National and regional innovation systems
  • Participation in ICTs: demand side studies
  • Regulation: Spectrum allocation, interconnection, licensing
  • Policy: institutional arrangements, market structure, infrastructure extension
  • Market innovation, competition and disruption
  • Telecom operator strategies in emerging economies
The actual program will depend on the papers received. The organisers reserve the right to combine topics and to not offer sessions for which sufficient high-quality submissions are not received.

Submission Guidelines

Abstracts should be submitted to aallem@researchICTafrica.net by or before 19 November 2010 and must contain the following:
  • the title of the paper,
  • your name and contact information,
  • an abstract of the paper (no more than 1500 words)
  • a curriculum vita of no more than a page.
The document must be named CPRafrica_Abstract&Bio_YourLastName.
Notification of acceptance of the proposed paper on the basis of the abstract will be e-mailed on or before 8 November 2010. Authors must submit their papers for review by 21 January 2011. No papers will be accepted after this date. The conference organiser reserve the right to reject the paper if it does not conform to the abstract or academic standards.
They will received the reviewer's comments by 18 February 2011, and will be required to complete their revisions by 18 March 2011. The papers will be accepted after this date.

Review Criteria

Abstracts will be reviewed according to the following criteria:
  • Clarity of the thesis or the research finding
  • Policy and regulatory relevance
  • Novelty, significance, and importance to the CPRafrica community
  • Adequacy of methods and analysis
  • Quality of writing
Please note: Only the authors whose papers that are delivered by the 21 January 2011 deadline AND who meet the quality standard will be allowed to present their papers at the conference and have their travel funded. Others may attend the event at their own expense or if they have applied for and satisfied the criteria for selection as Young Scholars.

Funding

Selected presenters will be provided with least-cost travel to and from Nairobi, Kenya, accommodation and a per diem for the duration of the conference. All incidental costs will have to be borne by the participants. Those who are able to receive institutional support to attend are requested to do so.

Downloads

CPRafrica Authors Guidelines
Policy Brief Template
Delegates Information Pack

Opening speech
Conference Programme
Dinner Programme

Key dates

Call for Abstracts out: Friday 8 October 2010
Abstracts due: Friday 19 November 2010
Review of abstracts w/c: 22 November 2010
Final selection: 26 November 2010
Notification of acceptance: Monday 29 November 2010
First drafts due: Friday 21 January 2011
Reviewer feedback due: Friday 18 February 2011
Final drafts due: Friday 18 March 2011
Post to website: Monday 21 March 2011
Young Scholars Tutorials: 15 and 16 April 2011
Opening Dinner: 17 April 2011
Conference: 18 and 19 April 2011
Young Scholars Tutorials 2011
Fifteen Young Scholars from Africa were selected to participate in the conference.

Application Guidelines

Applications should be submitted to aallem@researchICTafrica.net by or before 19 November 2010 and must contain the following:
  • a one-page curriculum vita that includes your contact information and the name and contact information of current supervisor or mentor, and
  • a one-page write-up outlining why you wish to be an African based expert capable of contributing to ICT policy and regulatory reform in the region.
The document should be named CPRafrica_YoungScholar_YourLastName.

Notification of acceptance will be e-mailed on or before 29 November 2010 with instructions on travel arrangements.

Review Criteria

Applications will be reviewed according to the following criteria:
  • Content of application
  • Evidence of interest in policy-relevant research for the Africa
  • Quality of writing
  • Gender and country representation
The selection committee may contact your supervisor or mentor before making the final selections.

Download

Young Scholars Seminar - Programme

Funding

Selected applicants will be provided with least-cost travel to and from Nairobi, Kenya, twin-sharing accommodation and meals for the nights of the conference only. All incidental costs will have to borne by the participants. Costs are being tightly controlled to accommodate as many participants as possible.

Key dates

Applications due: 19 November 2010
Notification of acceptance to Young Scholars: 29 November 2010
Young Scholars Tutorials: 15 and 16 April 2011
Training and Events CPRafrica 2012 /CPRsouth7 2012 - Call for Abstracts Connecting Africa & Asia: ICT Policy research and practice for the Global SouthThe third CPRafrica will take place from 5  - 7 September 2012 together with CPRsouth in Mauritius.IntroductionCommunication Policy Research Africa (CPRafrica) en...
Read more...
Young Scholars Tutorials 2012 Young Scholars Seminar3-4 September 2012 - MauritiusTwenty Young Scholars from Africa and Asia will be selected to participate in the conference without having to fulfill the paper acceptance qualifications and  to attend an ICT policy research ...
Read more...
Spectrum Valuation Masterclass with Prof Martin Cave This one-day masterclass on spectrum valuation was convened by Prof Alison Gillwald and was part of a new component of the Graduate School of Business programme in Management of Infrastructure Reform and Regulation (MIR).   It was offered...
Read more...
The International Institute of Communications Annual Conference The International Institute of Communications is a leading independent policy forum focused primarily on telecommunications, media and digital media policy and regulation, and their impact on business and society. Its 42nd Annual Conference, ‘T...
Read more...
G I G A N E T - Sixth Annual Symposium UNON complex, Nairobi, Kenya, Room 4 September 26, 2011 The Global Internet Governance Academic Network (GigaNet) held its Sixth Annual Symposium on 26 September 2011, one day before the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Nairo...
Read more...
Connectivity and Convergence 2011: Alternative Regulatory Strategies for Telecommunications The Executive Course "Connectivity and Convergence 2011: Alternative Regulatory Strategies for Telecommunications" has been postponed. For further information, please contact info [at] researchictafrica [dot] net Programme Summary...
Read more...
Making Mobile Broadband Accessible for All Research ICT Africa and the Management Infrastructure Reform and Regulation Programme at the Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town, in partnership with Vodacom convened a public seminar on  Making Mobile Broadband Access Accessib...
Read more...
CPRafrica 2011 : Convergence The second CPRafrica took place on 15 – 19 April 2011 in association with the University of Nairobi, Kenya. CPRafrica 2011 presentations available on the publications page.                   &n...
Read more...
Young Scholars Tutorials 2011 Fifteen Young Scholars from Africa were selected to participate in the conference. Application Guidelines Applications should be submitted to aallem@researchICTafrica.net by or before 19 November 2010 and must contain the following: a one-page...
Read more...