The lines of communication between towns, cities and entire nations are merging. We increasingly live and work within a 'communication media' landscape. Web 2.0 tools and software influence many aspects of communication providing users with more opportunities for informal and interpersonal approaches to information-sharing. We can witness transformations in top-down, and corporate-based communication processes to a more individualized, participatory and democratic approach whereby users are creators, consumers and repeat innovators of the web content. Social media tools provide ease of contact and convergence between distant communities, different ideas, cultures, and stories at a rate much faster than ever before!
But do we really understand how these media are influencing rural areas that are historically less likely to have reliable internet connectivity?
How are social media engaging stakeholders of agri-food and rural sectors for dialogues over new ideas, networks, and opportunities?
How do social media leverage intermediary functions for enabling agri-food and rural innovations?
How are new technologies such as, mobile phones changing (improving or not) agriculture and other domains of livelihoods in rural areas?
How are social media engaging stakeholders of agri-food and rural sectors for dialogues over new ideas, networks, and opportunities?
How do social media leverage intermediary functions for enabling agri-food and rural innovations?
How are new technologies such as, mobile phones changing (improving or not) agriculture and other domains of livelihoods in rural areas?
The researchers of the University of Guelph strive to explore answers of these questions through a project launched in the spring of 2012. For further details, please see project description, and project team.
