Dalwoo
Inclusive digital futures
VALA2024 CONCURRENT SESSION 01
Tuesday 9th July 2024, 11.30am-12.00pm
Ramona Naicker
- Scholarly Services Librarian (STEMM)
- Deakin University
Presentation
Abstract
Digital fluency is crucial for navigating today’s world, yet the digital divide continues to reflect and reinforce systemic inequities, disproportionately impacting minority and underserved communities. This talk highlights parallels to historical and political systems of inequality and examines how different backgrounds can intersect to create compounded barriers to digital access. We aim to explore strategies for developing inclusive digital literacy programs, empowering librarians to advocate for digital equity and foster an inclusive digital future for all.
Biography
Ramona is a Scholarly Services Librarian (STEMM) at Deakin University, having previously worked for the UK National Health Service and the University of Oxford’s Bodleian Healthcare Libraries. Ramona’s passion for antiracism and evidence-based practice has driven her to specialise in critically appraising research for racial bias. She has had the privilege of sharing her findings with numerous institutions and conferences, publishing papers, developing open resources, and authoring the entry for Racial Bias in the University of Oxford’s CEBM Catalogue of Bias. Recently, Ramona participated in a panel discussion at the LILAC conference, where she discussed social class and information literacy, emphasising the need for a critical approach to information literacy practice. Dedicated to inclusivity, Ramona is committed to continuously learning and advocating for social justice and equality in her professional journey.
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