Charles Bugre

Background

About Charles Bugre

My research examines digital skills of people with low-levels of literacy such as those who cannot read and write in any language. With the affordances and challenges of modern technology such as artificial intelligence, the questions I investigate are: How does this target population leverage information technology? What policies are implemented to support their digital needs? My research provides crucial insights for comprehensive digital skills strategies across governments, NGOs and international organizations. I collaborate with public librarians to co-design services that are inclusive of under-served populations and empower their communities against problematic information. I also work with librarians to meet their community information needs and prepare for future community needs using the asset-based approach. As a former academic librarian myself, I led and initiated services using asset-based approach that increased library usage. For instance, at Dunkwa Nursing and Midwifery Training College, library usage increased from 20 patrons per day to over 100 patrons. This influenced the building of a larger and an ultra-modern library capable of accommodating 138 patrons.To date, I also volunteer my services and resources to support marginalized and needy populations. I mentor rural and under-served children through voluntary teaching and projects. I also lead self-community development through advocacy and initiation of self-funded community projects. For instance, I led and self-funded a hand-pumped borehole in 2013 at a cost of for a community that hitherto had no nearby source of water.My dedication to work has been recognized through a number of awards: e.g. Senator of the month (November, 2024) from University of Washington Graduate and Professional Students Senate; 2023 Ottenberg-Winans Fellow, 2021 Technology for Social Change PhD Fellow and overall best graduating student for my Master of Science degree in Information Technology.