Abstract
International development is concerned with making life better for the
least privileged people of the world. Since the 1990s, HCI has engaged
increasingly with development through an interdisciplinary field known
as “information and communication technologies for development,” or
ICT4D. This article overviews the historical relationship between HCI
and international development, compares their disciplinary approaches,
and suggests that both sides would gain from ongoing interaction. International
development could benefit from HCI’s broad methodological
tools, which include qualitative and quantitative research methods,
design through iterative prototyping, and reflective inquiry. HCI could
benefit from international development’s exposure to a broader base of
cultures, sectors, and concerns. These issues are discussed with specific
examples from published papers and several well-known projects that
apply HCI to development. Finally, future directions for an ongoing
collaboration between HCI and development are also indicated.