Autonomy, Order, and Infrastructuring: A Study on the Appropriation of Digital Technology Systems in Oaxaca

The purpose of this project is to consider how expressions of autonomy, and accompanying security practices, are affected by the introduction of digital technologies. In centring autonomy as an organising principle, this project explores how digital technologies are appropriated and adapted by networks of actors, and how these networks articulate their values into material social orders.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
1) How have articulations of autonomy in Oaxaca been affected by the introduction of digital technologies?
2) How do ideas of security inform the development of digital technologies in these autonomous spaces?
3) What do these processes of digital development reveal about how collaborative forms of social order are negotiated and constructed within autonomous communities?

APPROACH: To address these questions, this project comprises a two-part process. First, a remote fieldwork study, consisting of a literature scoping study to identify research gaps, and a subsequent qualitative document analysis using resources gathered via relevant web pages. These materials are analysed through a qualitative reflexive thematic approach. This portion of the project serves as a mechanism to collect data and gather hypotheses, rigorously grounding my project and informing qualitative interviews in the field. This study then moves into on-the-ground fieldwork, consisting of a series of interviews with NGO communities in Oaxaca, informed by wider contextual observation. Again, these interviews are analysed through a qualitative reflexive thematic approach.

NOVEL CONTRIBUTION: This study explicitly grounds itself in autonomous organisational settings. These settings often challenge conventional understandings of technological design and implementation. This study provides qualitative insights into practical technological appropriation in non-western contexts, observing the conditions that shape real-world socio-technical infrastructures and orderings. Within the EPSRC Research Areas, this work contributes findings towards the fields of Human communication in ICT, and Human-computer interaction. From a strategic perspective, this research provides insights into alternative mechanisms of technological design and use, which might both inform and challenge existing visions for digital futures.

People. The most obvious impact of RHUL's cyber security CDT will be its production of 50 PhD-level graduates during its lifetime. CDT graduates will be "industry-ready": through industry placements, they will have exposure to real-world cyber security problems and working environments; because of the breadth of our training programme, they will gain exposure to cyber security in all its forms; through involvement of our external partners at all stages of the CDT, the students will be exposed to the language and culture of industry, government and other sectors. At the same time, they will benefit from generic skills training, equipping them with a broad set of skills that will be of use in their subsequent workplaces. They will also engage in PhD-level research projects that will lead to them developing deep topic-specific knowledge as well as general analytical skills. There is a growing demand for graduates with these skill-sets. While RHUL already has demonstrably close relationships with key external players, our CDT represents an opportunity for us to enhance our existing links and develop new ones. Moreover, our own research will be strengthened by working with the best external researchers.

Economy. The nature of our cyber security research and the planned industrial involvement in influencing the selection of research topics means that there will be significant commercialisation opportunities arising from the research produced by this CDT. RHUL cyber security researchers have more than 80 years of experience working in industry, either in research, development or customer-facing environments, and are named inventors on more than 30 patents. We are closely supported by the Royal Holloway Enterprise Centre, who have expertise in business development, securing venture capital funding, and IPR protection. RHUL's Institute for Cyber Security Innovation provides business research and training support. We also have an on-campus incubation centre which has hosted a number of spin-out companies. We are thus thoroughly prepared to identify and exploit commercialisation opportunities arising from the CDT.

Knowledge. The CDT will make substantial and original contributions to knowledge in cyber security. Following institutional policy, all research is made available to the public for free in some form, either through open access publishing,the institution's research repository or via subject-specific on-line archives. The research will also published in conference venues which, by their nature, are regularly attended by large numbers of delegates from outside of academia. Other impact routes for our knowledge include Industry Fora (RHUL is an active academic member of the I4 and ISF organisations, which are influential industry fora), Business Events (RHUL researchers regularly speak at events such as InfoSec London, RSA Conference), Standards Bodies (several staff are active in international standards bodies), Consulting (staff have consulted for more than 100 organisations in the last 30 years), Industry-focused Events (RHUL hosts several external facing events each year, including the annual CDT Showcase, HP Colloquium, and ISG Open Day).

Society. One of the longer-term impacts of our research is to provide mechanisms that help to enhance confidence and trust in the on-line society for ordinary citizens, leading in turn to quality of life enhancement. Our work on the socio-technical dimensions of security and privacy gives us a means to influence government policy to the betterment of society at large. We work closely with government departments such as the Cabinet Office to provide advice on privacy, security and design issues. We also communicate research findings through more widely accessible media, press engagement, speaking at public events, and working with schools (CDT students will take part in the annual Smallpeice Trust Cyber Security residential for Year 9 students).