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Dr Margaret Grace
The Communication Centre, QUT

In Australia, as in other parts of the world, there is considerable interest in may quarters in the potential of new communication and information technologies to contribute significantly to the revitalisation of rural and regional communities. This interest extends in some cases to substantial investment by government at both state and national levels in providing technology infrastructure and in stimulating technology initiatives.

Increasingly, local government authorities and community development officers also recognise the potential of computer mediated technologies to strengthen communication networks within their communities, to provide greater and more equitable access to global information networks and to promote economic development. However, much remains to be understood about the factors which contribute most to the success of innovative technology applications in rural communities.

Recent and current research conducted by the Queensland University of Technology indicates that gender is an important factor in how rural people access and use communication and information technologies therefore has many potentially benefits for both social and economic development in rural and regional communities.

By focusing on rural women's perspectives on these issues, the research has revealed the need for the integration of social and economic concerns in community development initiatives and for 'soft' technologies or social infrastructure to be developed in association with 'hard' technology. The initiation of community development processes and the flexible delivery of appropriate training in formation technology were identified as crucial elements of such social infrastructure.

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