The Center for Knowledge Societies was established in March 2000, to bring social and economical analysis, as well as linguistic and cultural insight to bear on the design and deployment of emerging technologies, particularly for rural, non-elite communities, and other non traditional target populations in emerging economies.
In December 2000, they began archival documentation and research work in their office in Bangalore. The Outdoor Commons and Gallery were inaugurated in August 2001.
They are still building their team of researchers, analysts and technologists, and will soon be opening offices in Delhi.
The Center for Knowledge Societies affords insight into the use of Information and Communications Technologies in non-traditional and emerging market environments.
We offer research, design and strategy consultancy services to technology houses, international development agencies, and grassroots organizations. Since early 2000, we have worked in partnership with Hewlett-Packard Laboratories, n-Logue Communications, UNDP, UNICEF, USAID, the Educational Development Center, and Samuha.Org. Through usability research, quantitative analysis, and sectoral intelligence, we drive the development and deployment of emerging technologies for the benefit of non-elite and rural users.
Over the course of 2001, they evolved a facilitatory role in helping diverse agencies and organizations come into contact with one another. Their database of ICTs for Development in South Asia will soon be searchable online at our website, www.cks-b.org. They expect this unique resource to serve as a catalytic engine driving new partnerships and collaboration across the diverse initiatives featured within it, while also enabling further research and analysis. |
