Date of Award

5-31-2022

Document Type

Campus Access Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Global Governance and Human Security

First Advisor

Michael Johnson

Second Advisor

Stacy D. VanDeveer

Third Advisor

J. Samuel Barkin

Abstract

Participatory mapping (PM) is a process through which humans make decisions together using spatial data. This dissertation explores how convening institutions use PM and geographic information systems (GIS) for social change by pushing forward an interdisciplinary research agenda that utilizes interviews and human-computer interaction and psycho-social surveying. An analysis of the evidence collected suggests that PM software can lead to public policy and normative behavioral change when users maintain a positive perception of the technology, administrators, process design, and other participant groups. Moreover, the research also suggests that users’ access to and understanding of the technology is critical to positive perceptions of the processes’ success. These results call into question the use of technical experts, sometimes referred to as “chauffeurs”, and challenges representational human-computer interaction in public processes that use GIS technologies under certain contexts. This dissertation contributes to the growing number of studies showing that citizen participation in science and resource planning can lead to more equitable and long-term social change.

Comments

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