Global Repository for Internet Studies
By Esther Mwema | A spotlight on a Sprint for Internet Health project
The Global Repository for Internet Studies (GRIS) is a global non-profit and an independent research platform dedicated to fostering an inclusive debate around issues involving Internet usage and health, connectivity, and technology, especially internet policies, while putting users in control of their online experience.
I interviewed Lily Edinam Botsyoe (@Edinam233) and, Samuel Osei Mensah (@samcillabaakojr) to learn more about the Global Repository of Internet Studies (GRIS) and how you can contribute to their work.
What is Global Repository of Internet Studies?
The Global Repository for Internet Studies (GRIS) is a research and resource platform created to provide a unique way of giving everyone the space to contribute to making the internet a better tool through creating awareness and fostering discussion across many areas on Internet issues.
Why did you start Global Repository of Internet Studies?
To bridge the digital divide that exists due to lack of inclusion and the unavailability of information on internet governance and related trending issues, that are easily accessible and understandable. GRIS exists to help users, business and entrepreneurs to be at the frontier of digital innovation and internet governance. We seek to provide the unconnected regions with technological resources through future projects, digital skills, and Internet resources for growth.
What gap does Global Repository of Internet Studies respond to within the open community?
We address the issues of understanding Internet issues by presenting information in forms that internet users can easily access, understand and can share. By doing so, we provide a safe and accommodating environment for new entrants to the field, particularly non-traditional actors, to increase their knowledge on internet governance.
What challenges have you faced working on this project?
Main challenges include lack of active participation from the public due to limited talent available to execute tasks, finding and recruiting the right talent, securing funds for activities and tasks, and the availability and collection of resources for distribution.
What kind of skills do I need to contribute to your project?
No matter how groundbreaking the GRIS Global idea is, we won’t be able to get it off the ground if we don’t possess the necessary technical and interpersonal skills. Though no one is left out from contributing, we encourage participation from persons with skills in developing an effective business model, basic web development knowledge, accounting and bookkeeping, critical thinking and problem solving, digital marketing, educated with communication skills, leadership and management skills as well as persons who are team players and understand the measures and value of volunteerism.
How can others contribute your project?
In the interest of fostering an open and welcoming environment,
contributors and maintainers need to adhere to our code of conduct. Our contribution guidelines can be found here: https://github.com/GRISGlobal/Global-Repository-for-Internet-Studies/blob/master/contribution-guidelines
Find us on Github: https://github.com/GRISGlobal/Global-Repository-for-Internet-Studies
We are open for contributions on our platform currently in the below areas:
Translation, Brochure/Banner Design, Draft Proposal and search for Donors, Newsletter contributions, Social Media Management, Writing online educational courses for GRIS E-Lab on Internet governance, and pertinent IT issues.
Become a Volunteer, apply here: https://grisglobal.org/volunteer/
Keep an eye on our social media pages for major announcements. Gris Global on all social media platforms. Also, visit our website GrisGlobal.org for more.
How has the Open Leaders program helped you with your project?
The resources and cohort calls really guided us on how to create our open canvas for executing the project, and most importantly how to encourage participation. With no mentors or coaches for the greater part of the course since we entered the program as an independent project, the training materials were really handy in helping us focus on our project along with input and kind suggestions that shaped the project to this level.
#WOLO #YOLO #sprintforIH #mozfest19
What meme or gif best represents your project?
Join us wherever you are during the month of May at Mozilla’s Sprint for Internet Health to work on many amazing open projects! Join a diverse network of scientists, educators, artists, engineers and others in person and online to hack and build projects for a health Internet.
This post by Esther Mwema is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
