Digital Diasporas, Identity, and International Policy Processes (DIP)2

Research and Event Summaries

Project Abstract

After September 11, 2001, policymakers and the general public became more aware of organized diasporas and their potential threats. This research program explores how diasporas are using the Internet (thus becoming "digital diasporas" (DDs) to organize, negotiate and maintain their cultural identities, and to mobilize that identity for policy advocacy and quality of life improvements in their cultural home territories. DDS represent significant opportunities to alleviate challenges (at the individual, national, transnational and global levels) posed by globalization (e.g., security, humanitarian assistance, international development, and transnational public goods). This research thus seeks to promote a better understanding of DDs’ potential constructive contributions in the context of a globalized world. Digital Diasporas, Identity, and International Policy Processes (DIP)2 is envisioned as a high visibility, multi-year, externally funded research program. This GWCSG project seeks seed money for establishing the research program, pursuing its first two case studies (the Afghan-American DD and Afghanistan reconstruction, and the Egyptian Copt DD and human rights policy in Egypt), identifying at least two additional case studies, and developing multiple external funding proposals.

Faculty

Jennifer M. Brinkerhoff, Associate Professor of Public Administration
Lori A. Brainard, Assistant Professor of Public Administration

Events

GW International Development Forum on Civic Engagement
Dialogue on Globalization, March 2003

Linkages and Divides: Global Minority Groups and the Internet
Globalization Brown Bag, January 2003

Publications

Brainard, Lori A. and Jennifer M. Brinkerhoff. “Sovereignty Under Siege or a Circuitous Path to Strengthening the State?: Digital Diasporas and Human Rights.”
International Journal of Public Administration, forthcoming, 2006.

Brinkerhoff, Jennifer M. “Digital Diasporas and Conflict Prevention: The Case of Somalinet.com.“
Review of International Studies, Vol. 32 (January 2006): 25-47.

Brinkerhoff, Jennifer M. ”Digital Diasporas and Semi-Authoritarian States: The Case of the Egyptian Copts.” Special issue on “The Internet and Development: Assessing the Value Added.“
Public Administration and Development, Vol. 25, No. 3 (August 2005): 193-204.

Brinkerhoff, Jennifer M. ”Digital Diasporas and International Development: Afghan-Americans and the Reconstruction of Afghanistan.“
Public Administration and Development, Vol. 24, No. 5 (December 2004): 397-413.

Brainard, Lori A. and Jennifer M. Brinkerhoff. ”Lost in Cyberspace: Shedding Light on the Dark Matter of Grassroots Organizations.“
Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, Vol. 33, No. 3 Supplement (September 2004): 32S-53S.

Brainard, Lori A. and Patricia D. Siplon. ”Towards Nonprofit Organization Reform in the Voluntary Spirit: Lessons from the Internet.“
Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, Vol. 33, No. 3 (September 2004): 435-457.

The GW Center for the Study of Globalization
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