Sustainable community development with ICT involves leveraging Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for poverty reduction, equitable societies, and community sustainability. My research highlights my focus on developing:

• Equitable Societies: ICT contributes to the development of more equitable societies, fostering benefits for regions and communities.

The increased pervasiveness of ICT and increasing internet access create anticipation for how contemporary technologies can address critical developmental problems. Non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of death globally, even though more than 40% of the deaths are premature and avoidable. Diabetes is a disease that causes 80% of non-communicable disease deaths in low and middle-income countries. Diabetes is also the leading cause of death in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Diabetes thus constitutes a challenge to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3 which focuses on health and well-being for all people, of all ages. The potential of technology, such as the use of m-health applications, is recognised as a means to advance the Sustainable Development Goals by supporting health systems in all countries. This can be accomplished by improving the accessibility, quality and affordability of health services. However, despite the potential of digital technologies, the use of m-health applications remains low.

Therefore, my research identified determinants of acceptance and use of m-health applications for diabetes self-management in a geographical area where large segments of the population experience technological forms of exclusion in addition to educational and income inequalities. My research focuses on human-centred as opposed to technology-centred intervention design for improving diabetes self-management. My research highlights the importance of context and capitalising on using existing local knowledge to design more effective and inclusive technology-enabled intervention designs.

Sustainable Development Research Outputs

• Community Sustainability: The adoption of ICT plays a role in determining the sustainability of communities, emphasizing its impact on community development. I emphasise the practical application of theoretical knowledge to improve workplace integration and performance.

Research in Information Communication and Technology (ICT) enabled teaching and learning. Including the application of ICT in an educational context provides the opportunity to expand the current curriculum to be more inclusive and student-centric. 

Digital Inclusion and Education Research Outputs

Entrepreneurial competencies are included in all of my courses. In the second year, students work with Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) so that they learn to work with clients who are providing necessary services to their communities. Students acquire the necessary workplace skills while NGOs/NPOs obtain technology services that they are most likely not able to afford. This results in a productive integration of community engagement and allows students to consider starting IT consultation companies. I have presented my work at leading teaching and learning conferences, such as the Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association of Southern Africa (HELTASA) Conference. 

• Research Awards and Grants

• Other research outputs

• Supervision

• Research Partnerships including my involvement in programme committees for international/ national conferences and being part of panels at conferences.

• Guest lectures

• Moderation of a research project module.

My research interest score on ResearchGate can be viewed here as well as my Google Scholar citations.