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PhD Dissertation Defense - Environmental Science & Policy
Apr 19, 2024, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Virtual - please contact espgrad@gmu.edu for Zoom meeting info
PhD Dissertation
Department of Environmental Science and Policy
College of Science
George Mason University
Candidate: Christopher Round
Defense Date and Time: April 19, 2024 at 11:00am
Defense Location: Virtually on Zoom
Title: Digitizing Responsibility: Emerging Technologies and Power in Environmental and Informational Governance
Dissertation Director: Dr. Karen Akerlof and Dr. Ingrid Visseren-Hamakers
Committee: Dr. Susan Crate, Dr. Jennifer Salerno, and Dr. Victoria Adams
ABSTRACT
This dissertation examines the influence of information and communication technology (ICT) on environmental governance, how it changes power dynamics, and how to evaluate the role it may play in creating transformative change to address environmental problems. This research was approached using a pragmatic perspective towards theoretical assumptions. Data was gathered using a modified snowball sampling approach. Three different technologies were analyzed: blockchain, artificial intelligence, and a data analytics platform. The results indicate that ICT can unexpectedly and dramatically impact relationships between stakeholders. Environmental and Transformative Governance scholars shoulder consider the impacts of ICT on stakeholders to address global environmental problems.