ESRA 2027 sessions by theme
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Digital poverty and Inequalities in Contemporary Society |
| Coordinator 1 | Professor Caterina Giusti (University of Pisa) |
| Coordinator 2 | Professor Antonella D'Agostino (University of Siena) |
| Coordinator 3 | Professor Monica Pratesi (University of Pisa) |
Session Details
In contemporary societies, digital transformation deeply intersects with social stratification, making the measurement of digital poverty and inequalities a central concern for quantitative social research. Digital poverty and inequalities represent complex, multidimensional phenomena that encompasses access to digital devices, digital skills, digital literacy, and the capacity to translate technology use into tangible life outcomes.
The session is interested in contributions that employ survey methodology and statistical modeling to address key analytical and measurement challenges in studying digital stratification. Key topics of interest include: the core dimensions (what to measure: hardware, usage, capabilities, motivation); the development of composite indices; combining survey data with administrative records, AI and geospatial data; the use of small area estimation and spatial analysis techniques to measure digital poverty at sub-national levels and map disparities with high geographical granularity; the use of fuzzy approaches for measuring digital poverty; substantive applications focusing on digital poverty and inequalities across diverse social groups and geographical contexts.
Substantive focus areas include how digital disparities exacerbate existing socio-economic, age, gender, and regional inequalities.
