Standard Research Grant: STS: Dynamics of Mobile Phone Appropriation by Migrant Populations in Seattle, Washington

The global spread of mobile telephony has made digital communication more accessible to a wide range of populations: wealthy and low-income, adults and youth, employed and unemployed, citizen and migrant. Dropping costs, targeted services, and a growing appreciation of the value of anytime/anywhere communication has moved people from all walks of life to incorporate mobile phones into their everyday routines. There is ample evidence, however, that patterns of use can differ dramatically within and between groups, driven by sociocultural, economic, and political contexts as well as individual motivations (Castells et al, 2006). Understanding these different patterns sheds light on the conditions (opportunities and constraints) that shape technology use and their significance for quality of life. In an increasingly digital world, such insights are critical for institutional, national, and global policy on technology development in general, but especially for harnessing digital communication technologies for social, economic, and political development.