IDEate: Minimising the Digital Divide
- Challenge:OurTech Challenge
- Co-Funders:European Union
- Phase:Seed
- Team Lead:Dr Susan Rea, Munster Technological University
- Team Co-Lead:Dr Mary Galvin, Munster Technological University
- Societal Impact Champion:Marianne Cassidy, Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery, and Reform
Funders
Funded by: European Union & Government of Ireland
The question, “IF YOU BUILD IT, WILL THEY COME?”, resonates with recent advocacy for the digital transformation of Ireland’s public services, with their online migration largely regarded as the solution to making public services more accessible and available to our population. However, digitising a public service does not automatically equate to accessibility and availability, and in this increasingly digital world there are people who are becoming more marginalised and isolated from the services they need.
Individuals and communities have the right to benefit from new digital developments. IDEate brings a human-centred focus to the digital transformation of public services so that they better serve diverse end user communities and minimise the digital divide, which leads to a more inclusive society, increased trust and a better adoption of new products and services, for all.
Design led digital transformation is it in its infancy in the public sector and IDEate will pioneer the co-creation of equitable pathways toward the design of future digital public services that minimise the digital divide, particularly at time in life when people need to access public services the most.
By working closely with key public sector bodies and members of the public that represent all groups in our society, IDEate will create citizen-centric public services, including both digital and non-digital designs.