This report presents a research agenda for developing a deeper understanding of the ways Canadians use the Internet and engage in a digital media environment.
The report builds on the Connected Canada conference hosted by the authors at the University of Ottawa on October 13th and 14th, 2017. This conference helped facilitate a network of people interested in better understanding Canadians’ uses of the Internet and related digital tools. Academics, policymakers, and technologists came together around the common goal of mobilizing research into what it means to be a digital citizen in Canada.
Funded by a Canada 150 Connection Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the event also received support from the University of Ottawa, Public Policy Forum, Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada, Elections Canada, Home of Creative Minds, Black Arcs, and National NewsMedia Council.
This knowledge synthesis report presents the perspectives of conference participants in order to facilitate discussion and collaboration, but it is only the first step.
In the spirit of collaboration that lead to this report, and learning from the civic tech community, the authors have also made the report available and open for comments on GitHub.
Dr. Elizabeth Dubois is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication, Faculty of Arts at the University of Ottawa, and a member of the University of Ottawa Centre for Law, Technology and Society.
Dr. Florian Martin-Bariteau is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Law, Common Law Section at the University of Ottawa, and the Director of the University of Ottawa’s Centre for Law, Technology and Society.