Anthropology's Hsain Ilahiane to work for the Intel Corporation for
a year.
For four years, Hsain Ilahiane has conducted a research project for the
Intel Corporation, investigating the uses of mobile technology (cell phones)
in social and economic development in Morocco and other African and Middle
Eastern countries.
"The study came out of my interest in technology," the associate
professor of anthropology said. "As an anthropologist we know that
people use technology, but to what end do they use it? How did they make
the decision to acquire what type of technology?"
Ilahiane says cell phone usage in the global south, and particularly Morocco,
has grown at an amazing rate. It has become a status symbol for many of
the citizens with more than 95 percent of Morocco now accessible to cell
phones.
That study however is over as the grant has run its course.
Yet that hasn't ended Ilahiane's association with the technology giant.
Beginning this July Ilahiane will take a year's leave of absence from the
Department of Anthropology to become a visiting senior social scientist
at Intel's Portland, Ore., People and Practices Research Lab.
"Among other things I will be conducting research on how people understand
technology in the Middle East and Africa," Ilahiane said.
Although Ilahiane will be based in Portland for the next year, he anticipates
conducting research in Cairo, Egypt, and possibly India and Brazil.
The anthropologist will also look at community-based technology adoption
and value chains while exploring sustainable ways of extending information
and technology communications in rural and remote areas of the Middle East
and Africa.
"I think this will be fun," he said. "I'm anxious to see
what people are doing with wireless communications in these countries."
Ilahiane says communication and technology corporations such as Intel are
exploring new and underserved markets in this part of the world.
"Companies want to translate research into business," he said.
"An anthropologist works with people to see what they want.
"Social scientists have a lot to say about the trends of technology
and technology design."
Ilahiane thinks the experience will not only serve as a benefit to Intel
but to Iowa State as well.
"I teach a cultural change course (such as Culture Change and Applied
Anthropology and Globalization of the Human Condition) and we talk about
development issues a lot," he says. "Right now I don't have any
experience working in the corporate world. By doing this I will now be able
to bring that experience to my classroom."
He also hopes to develop a relationship between his department and Intel
with the possibility of adding paid internships and a job market for future
anthropology majors.
Ilahiane also says he thinks this position will serve as a good example
for anthropology majors.
"The practice of anthropology is changing," he said. "This
is a global society and multi-national corporations like Intel are global
entities. Anthropologists are playing an important role in a variety of
business activities including the economics and marketing of new technologies
and products."
