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When Sociotechnical Imaginaries Become True: Digital Transition of Public Services and Inequalities during the Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Roberto Cibin

    (Institute of Sociology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Jilská, 110 00 Praha, Czech Republic)

Abstract

As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many public institutions in Europe designed policies that increased the use of ICTs with the public to provide or collect information, offer support, and perform educational activities. This process was in line with a sociotechnical imaginary where people’s lives are increasingly “smart” and enhanced through digital innovation. We provide an analysis of the implications of this imaginary during the pandemic for people belonging to vulnerable categories, to understand how these actors are considered in the digital transition process at the European level. This analysis is based on qualitative data collected in 30 European countries in the frame of an EU project aimed at understanding how COVID-19-related public policies shaped social inequalities. Building on the intersection between gender studies, science and technology studies, and media studies, this analysis aims to contribute to a more inequality-aware policy reflection on the digital transition.

Suggested Citation

  • Roberto Cibin, 2023. "When Sociotechnical Imaginaries Become True: Digital Transition of Public Services and Inequalities during the Pandemic," Societies, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:13:y:2023:i:10:p:220-:d:1257379
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Louise M. Bezuidenhout & Sabina Leonelli & Ann H. Kelly & Brian Rappert, 2017. "Beyond the digital divide: Towards a situated approach to open data," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 44(4), pages 464-475.
    2. Yongdong Shen & Yuan (Daniel) Cheng & Jianxing Yu, 2023. "From recovery resilience to transformative resilience: How digital platforms reshape public service provision during and post COVID-19," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(4), pages 710-733, April.
    3. Johanna Sefyrin & Mariana Gustafsson & Elin Wihlborg, 2021. "Addressing digital diversity: Care matters in vulnerable digital relations in a Swedish library context [Feminist Technoscience Studies]," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 48(6), pages 841-848.
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