Papers by Michele Masucci
Transactions in Gis, 2006
In this paper, we argue that a feminist geographical analysis that examines women as active agent... more In this paper, we argue that a feminist geographical analysis that examines women as active agents in their daily lives, pays attention to the multiplicity of women's experiences in relational space, and values knowledge for transformative purposes, provides insights as to how GIScience might develop in the near future. We draw upon our research with two different community organizations in North Philadelphia to show how a feminist geographical analysis can shape the conceptualization of a community GIS. We argue that collaborative work with community organizations based on "a view from below" necessitates alternative institutional arrangements while providing rich data to better understand the intersection of daily life and information and communication technologies (ICT) as experienced, in the particular case of our work, by poor women. Our research illustrates that understanding ICT frameworks from the perspective of women and in the context of their daily lives has important implications for GIScience.
This chapter describes and assesses a model of integrated service learning that was developed bas... more This chapter describes and assesses a model of integrated service learning that was developed based on partnerships established through courses and programs at Temple University with community organizations located in North Philadelphia. The model developed expanded a course-by-course approach to service learning, and its development advanced critical pedagogical objectives for student participants. We argue here, however, 1
Geoforum, 2008
In this paper, we argue that reconceptualizing the ''digital divide" from the perspective of thos... more In this paper, we argue that reconceptualizing the ''digital divide" from the perspective of those with the least access requires that the policy concern shift from disparities in access to computers and the Internet toward an examination of how Internet information resources are differentially accessed and used. Drawing on an archive of clinical narrative descriptions documenting training sessions related to eight African American, low-income women involved in a clinical trial of a telemedicine system intervention for monitoring cardiovascular disease risk factors implemented at Temple University; we illustrate the shortcomings of a limited conceptualization of access. Rather, we propose a model that depicts information and communication technology (ICT) access in terms of four interrelated elements: (a) information delivery approaches (how information is shared, disseminated and accessed through the use of e-communication technologies), (b) technology use contexts (what are the specific settings in which technology is accessed), (c) social networks (what is the role of social networks in shaping access to and use of ICTs) and (d) the social policies and institutional mechanisms regulating technology access (specifically targeted to ICT use as well as more generally). This model highlights the embeddedness of ICT use in the geography of people's daily lives and suggests a number of policy concerns related to how ICTs may mitigate or exacerbate economic and political inequalities in the United States.
Telemedicine Journal and E-health, 2006
For underserved populations, telemedicine can address the high prevalence and suboptimal control ... more For underserved populations, telemedicine can address the high prevalence and suboptimal control of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. However, Internet access issues may limit the successful application of telemedicine. We tested the hypothesis that computer skills, and not access per se, was the main obstacle to using the Internet for health care. After informed consent, 44 participants with little or no computer experience received 2 hours of training covering 14 basic computer use skills, Internet access, and our telemedicine system. The telemedicine system enables reporting blood pressure, weight, physical activity, cigarette use, provider feedback, personal medication information, and educational information about CVD risk factors. The patient population included 12 males and 32 females. Of this total were 23 African Americans. The average patient age was 60.4 ؎ 3 years, and 64% had annual family incomes under $25,000. Eighty-two percent of the participants averaged 4 or higher (on a scale of 1 to 5) on basic computer skills. Only 11% had an average score below 3. Thirty-seven of 44 participants reported on their health status from a local Internet access site within 10 days. Participants' successful use of the telemedicine system was not correlated with age, gender, education level, or ownership of a computer. Computer skill score had a positive effect on system use. Underserved populations without computer experience or skills and at increased risk for CVD can be educated to use an Internet telemedicine system to communicate health status to their health care providers. Ownership of a computer was not a factor that predicted system use.
This paper will describe the development and evolution of GIS to support environmental quality mo... more This paper will describe the development and evolution of GIS to support environmental quality monitoring and hazards mitigation activities in two citizen-based water watch movements: Alabama Water Watch and Nucleo Pro Tiete in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In both cases, citizen volunteers concerned with creating baseline databases for local watershed areas formed as a result of severe problems in local water quality and because of the lack of baseline data from which to assess these problems. Both view GIS as an important tool in improving their respective organizational capacities to respond to environmental quality problems once detected by citizen-volunteer monitoring and in contributing to environmental policy formation.
Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 1999
... KAREN J. DEBRES, Kansas State University, Manhattan, USA ALTHA CRAVEY, University of North Ca... more ... KAREN J. DEBRES, Kansas State University, Manhattan, USA ALTHA CRAVEY, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA JENNIFER HYNDMAN, Arizona State University, Phoenix, USA KATHERINE K. HIRSCHBOECK, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA ...
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Papers by Michele Masucci