About
What We Do
The world needs interdisciplinary research and development to better understand the global epidemic of unequal access to digitized forms of information and the potential for expanded access to knowledge found through the Internet. The Knowledge Exchange Research Group (KERG) conducts research and presents solutions to the growing crisis of inequitable access to information and knowledge production in Black communities living in an information-driven world economy. KERG researchers believe that decisions about stunted knowledge exchange must be informed by the collaboration of international researchers, activists, and the general public.
Therefore, we:
- Research virtual and brick and mortar infrastructures that Black communities have difficulty accessing.
- Develop solutions to facilitate equitable knowledge exchange among world citizens of African descent.
- Conduct research and development on building platforms for new media technologies for Black communities to build their information base.
KERG Vision
We envision African-descended communities around the world with unencumbered access to digitized information about their communities and the world they live in. To help achieve this we strive to:
- Understand groups marginalized on the basis of race, class, gender and nationality daily challenges with gaining access to digital/new media platforms.
- Develop a project to develop Black communities develop more reliable and consistent access to information and to build platforms for these communities to exchange information within world networks.
- Engage in regular dialogues with global communities and the public to guide these projects.
Mission Statement
KERG believes that knowledge exchange—whether through traditional mediums such as brick and mortar libraries, print magazines, books ,digital libraries, online magazines, and websites—should be globally accessible to all communities. Substantial access to digital information should not be based on wealth, nationality, race, or gender.
With the majority of financial, educational, and social transactions travelling through computer networks, global Black communities with challenged access to digitized information increasingly have limited input in these exchanges. Access to information is not just a right, but is necessary for the growth of any communities navigating in today’s world.
Without question, access to all forms of knowledge and information is essential for world citizens’ full involvement in society. KERG KERG research and projects builds on research dating back to the nineties to the present that reports the problem of a disproportionate number of Black communities without equitable connection to virtual world communications. This subpar access creates an environment where many populations are disconnected from information that could address social injustices. From a citizen in a small US town trying to gain knowledge of environmental violations in their community, to a scholar at an African university attempting to access international online academic databases, limited information negatively impacts global citizens right to fair access to services and research.