The Stratified Knowledge Society: Hierarchical Relations and Technological Determinants

• In Event: 067 - Section on Science, Knowledge and Technology Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Section on Science, Knowledge and Technology Roundtables (one-hour). Table 01. Structures of Science

Abstract

Today’s knowledge society encompasses a system of highly complex and interconnected networks within which interaction among social actors occur and from which knowledge is created and diffused. In particular, these are digital networks and they represent a central factor defining what has been recognized as a digital divide that operates within and across levels of analysis. However, in the face of concerns over democratizing trends and, more, urgent calls for expanding the science and technology workforce and increasing scientific literacy, access to knowledge is critical and the digital divide is becoming more of a knowledge divide, characterized by a vertical hierarchy of information and relations in which access to the top tiers is highly limited. Indeed, to more fully capture the effective dimensions of these differentiating relations, the broader notion of the Digital Knowledge Network Divide (DKND) has been posited to better understand related structures and dynamics. Examining various aspects of the still evolving and unique landscape of the knowledge society, the research presented here is linked to a theoretical and conceptual analysis for developing tools for assessing related spatio-temporal disparities and determining indicators of network connectivity relative to the hierarchical relations and dynamics of the DKND. The primary purpose is to enable more in-depth investigation of changes in overall access and participation in the knowledge society in order to inform and design effective policies and programs.

Author

• Connie L. McNeely, George Mason University