Introducing Spur Collective — A Research Advisory and Knowledge Base on Digital Cultures in Kenya
what, who, why
What
Spur Collective is a collaborative research and advisory project by Nasubo and Tessie where we seek to develop insights, highlight and celebrate the digital cultures in Kenya through everyday stories.
As tech researchers with a deep interest in the social and economic effects of emerging tech, we are interested in showcasing how the worlds of technology and everyday life merge. Our mission is to explore digitization from a holistic perspective, championing local narratives including their complexities, nuances, and emerging localized agency mechanisms of surviving and thriving in the digital age.
Our work aims to bridge different interest groups and amplify the diverse voices and perspectives that make up our digital world.
Why
This collective was born out of our deep belief in the importance of understanding the context in the innovation, development, and use of digital products and services. To learn about user needs, behaviors, motivations, and aspirations, it is important to understand the cultural, societal, political, and economic drivers that influence their decisions and behavior.
We seek to highlight these underlying forces that shape digital participation for varying audiences. We will focus on understanding how culture shapes technology and how technology, in turn, shapes culture.
Our vision? To build digital futures that are sustainable and just, those that advance economic opportunities for all.
As researchers and insight developers, we are not afraid to ask tough questions. We will highlight inspiring narratives as well as challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies. Sometimes we’ll find answers, other times we’ll surface more questions.
Besides research, we take pride in advocating for sustainable development. We want a fairer, sustainable, and inclusive digitalization, grounded in values of collaboration and collective practice.
Who — A word from the collective founders
Nasubo — My passion lies in delving into the intricacies of human behavior, seeking to understand why certain behaviors endure while others fade away. I have an insatiable curiosity about how people truly are, often hidden beneath the surface. This is what fuels my enthusiasm for research. I believe that people often reveal only a fraction of their authentic selves, and uncovering these hidden layers is what excites me most about my work. Through in-depth interviews and observations, I strive to uncover the unspoken truths that lie beneath the words.
Great interviews, in my view, are those that not only shed light on the participant’s perspective but also offer them new insights. I’m dedicated to leaving participants with a fresh understanding of themselves and the world around them.
My primary interest revolves around people and society, with a particular focus on empowerment. I’m driven to uncover the dynamics that shape our lives and the potential for positive change.
Tessie — My interest lies in understanding the human experience and exploring how people worldwide live, work, and think. Whether it’s indulging in house tours ( a favorite hobby of mine), immersing myself in diverse cultures, or curiuosly scouring the net for documentaries, I find the subtle nuances of people and their surroundings, as revealed through observation, immersion, and storytelling, incredibly captivating.
My aspiration is to apply this same curiosity to gain insights into our local tech culture, ultimately informing product and service design that meets user needs. I bring to the collective my expertise in problem framing, rigorous analysis, love for narrative, and a commitment to understanding and building for a great human experience.
My goal is to collaborate with teams in empathizing with their users during these uncertain times and forming real connections based on our common humanity. I have a keen interest in labor futures, digital economy, digital ethnography, locally relevant market-based solutions, and technology for development.
Join us on this exciting journey of studying and informing on digital cultures in Kenya. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Share your observations and experiences — Do you have a unique experience or perspective related to digital cultures in Kenya? We’d love to hear from you. Share your stories, insights, and observations with us.
- Collaborate with us — If you’re a fellow researcher, enthusiast, or organization interested in digital cultures and sustainable development, let’s collaborate. Reach out to us to explore partnership opportunities.
- Connect with us on LinkedIn
- Spread the word — Help us amplify diverse voices in the digital world by sharing our work with your network.
Together, we can work towards a more sustainable, inclusive, and just digital future.
