Digital Divide Working Group Head elections 2025

The Digital Divide (DID) Working Group will be holding online elections for two co-chair positions, for the term 2025 - 2029.

The elections will be held online from 7 to 21 May using the SurveyMonkey platform.

Individual members and representatives of institutional members in good standing, who are also registered as members of the Digital Divide Working Group by 5 May, are eligible to vote. Voters will receive a voting link on 7 May.

To verify if you are a member of the DID Working Group, log in to your IAMCR account and select “My Sections and Working Groups” from the menu.

View the candidates and read their statements below.

Read about the Digital Divide Working Group

More information and timeline at https://iamcr.org/s-wg/elections2025

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Candidates

Statements

Bhanu Bhakta Acharya, Department of Communication, University of Ottawa, Canada

I am fielding my candidacy for one of the two co-chair positions of the Digital Divide Working Group (DDWG). As a member of the DDWG since 2015, I have been actively involved in the group, collaborating with co-chairs and working group members. During this period, I have assumed various roles, including researcher, presenter, author, and educator, focusing on multiple topics related to digital inequalities in both the Global North and Global South. My involvement with the DDWG has inspired me to publish numerous journal articles and book chapters addressing various manifestations of the digital divide. Notably, my PhD dissertation examines the impact of the digital divide on new immigrants in Canada in relation to their access to and utilization of e-government services. Additionally, I have made significant contributions as one of the three co-editors of the recently published edited volume, titled Digital Inequalities in Media Education in South Asia: Context and Consequences of the Covid-19 Pandemic (Routledge, 2025).

I am proud of IAMCR’s collective strength and its synergistic effect in fostering research skills among its members. As a DDWG member, I am grateful for my scholarly growth as a widely published author and researcher on digital inequalities. I have delivered several presentations on digital inequalities worldwide, including the impact on new immigrants, e-government portals and services, and immigrants' motivations for ICT adoption and use. As a scholar from the Global North with roots in the Global South, I understand the need for career development opportunities for emerging scholars, and those who want to excel in interdisciplinary research related to the digital divide. I am committed to promoting global inclusiveness and encouraging participation from emerging scholars, women, and researchers from disadvantaged regions.

I am considering to team up with Dr. Uma Shankar Pandey as co-chairs, with each of us bringing distinct skills and perspectives. Uma brings insights from the Global South, while I analyze issues pertinent to the Global North. Together, we can address the global digital divide comprehensively, and increase the scope of the DDWG beyond a techno-centric focus.

If elected, my primary objectives are to uphold IAMCR's core values within all DDWG activities, support emerging scholars, and stimulate critical research:

  1. Expand the Scope of DID: Transition from a techno-centric discourse to emerging dimensions such as the AI Divide, socio-economic, and socio-cultural divides.
  2. Host Global Dialogues: Regularly convene discussions on virtual and physical platforms to amplify voices from the Global South and other underrepresented regions.
  3. Launch IAMCR Digital Divide Journal: Establish a journal aimed at interdisciplinary research connecting digital inequalities, policy-making, and emerging technologies.
  4. Initiate Structured Mentorship Programs: Connect early-career scholars with senior IAMCR experts through regular workshops, seminars, and virtual platforms.
  5. Strengthen Partnerships: Collaborate with policymakers, NGOs, industry stakeholders, and international bodies to drive policy solutions for digital inclusion.

Bhanu Bhakta Acharya, PhD
Faculty, Department of Communication, University of Ottawa, Canada
Email: bacharya@uottawa.ca
Phone: +1 6137102488

Uma Shankar Pandey, Surendranath College for Women, University of Calcutta

I am honoured to offer my candidacy for the position of Co-Chair of the Digital Divide Working Group (DDWG) at IAMCR for the term 2025–2029.

As Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Surendranath College for Women, University of Calcutta, I bring over two decades of academic leadership and active international engagement. I have been associated with the Digital Divide Working Group since 2010, serving as a committed participant and contributor to its dialogues and missions. My experience as the first IAMCR Ambassador in India and Editor-in-Chief of Media Watch (SAGE), reflects a longstanding dedication to promoting inclusive scholarship and robust interdisciplinary research.

Our world is witnessing a fast-evolving digital landscape — one where new divides like the AI gap, algorithmic biases and data access inequalities are emerging alongside traditional digital access issues. My vision for DDWG is clear: to transform it into a future-focused hub that not only documents these divides but actively interrogates and influences them through research, advocacy and collaboration.

If elected, my goals are fivefold:

  1. Broaden the Scope: Integrate new dimensions of digital inequality—including AI literacy, platform justice and generative technology gaps—into the DDWG’s research and discourse.
  2. Strengthen Research and Visibility: Launch an IAMCR Digital Divide Journal focused on interdisciplinary research linking media, policy, digital culture and socio-technological divides.
  3. Global Inclusivity: Host regular regional roundtables and thematic webinars, especially amplifying perspectives from the Global South and marginalised communities worldwide.
  4. Mentorship and Capacity Building: Create structured mentorship bridges between early-career researchers and senior scholars in IAMCR, supported by workshops and virtual exchanges.
  5. Action-Driven Policy Engagement: Develop collaborations with NGOs, industry leaders and policy institutions to craft workable solutions to digital inequalities across geographies.

My research interests—spanning AI in media, Indian communication theories, data journalism and digital ethics—align squarely with the DDWG's future direction. I have authored four books and more than 25 peer-reviewed publications and frequently conduct international workshops on data analytics, AI and research methodologies.

In this candidacy, I bring not only scholarship, but a spirit of collaboration, pragmatism and purpose. I believe that the Digital Divide Working Group must continue evolving  to a platform that shapes equitable digital futures—globally, locally and ethically.

I look forward to the opportunity to serve the IAMCR community and work together towards building a digitally inclusive and academically vibrant future.

Dr. Uma Shankar Pandey
Associate Professor and Head
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication 
Surendranath College for Women, University of Calcutta
Website: https://profusp.com
Email: mailusp@gmail.com