Community-driven systems
Participatory research for sustainable information systems grounded in community priorities and existing practice.
Explore the themeComputer Scientist · ICT4D Researcher · Lecturer
Francis
Saa-Dittoh
Community-driven technology. Research with practical purpose.
I develop information systems that fit the needs, knowledge and communication practices of the people who use them. My work connects participatory research, teaching and software development, from radio and mobile phones to AI.
University for Development Studies · Tamale, Ghana
Research focus
Technology in context
Good systems begin with how people already learn, communicate and solve problems. These four areas bring that principle into research and practice.
Voice & local languages
Interfaces and language resources that expand access where text, literacy or connectivity create barriers.
Explore the themeDigital inclusion
Responsible technology shaped by Digital Humanism and the realities of unequal access.
Explore the themeAI for learning
Careful uses of AI in education, assessment and development, with people retaining meaningful control.
Explore the themeFeatured work
Research that gets built
Selected projects across community technology, language access, education and software development.
Research · Community technology
TIBaLLi
Internet inclusion through AI and local-language voice access in rural Ghana.
View case studyResearch · Community technology
RadioNet / Tibaŋsim
Locally relevant voice information delivered through familiar communication infrastructure.
View case studyResearch · Community technology
Mr. Meteo
Voice-based climate information designed with and for farmers in Ghana.
View case studyEducation · Software
One Grader
AI-assisted assessment and grading tools for educators.
View case studySoftware
Sefarim
An eBook marketplace and reading platform connecting publishing, discovery and access.
View case studyR→AI
Dissertation · 2026
From Radio to AI
African Community-driven Development of Sustainable Information Systems
My PhD research examines how information systems can grow from community knowledge, priorities and communication practices, connecting field research with working technical interventions.
Selected publications
Ideas, evidence, methods
Research spanning ICT4D, Digital Humanism, voice technology and community-led design.
- 2026
PhD thesis
From Radio to AI: African Community-driven Development of Sustainable Information Systems
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
- 2026
Conference proceedings
TiBaLLi: Internet Inclusion Through Artificial Intelligence
Digital Humanism, LNCS 16319, pp. 83–93
- 2024
- 2022
Conference proceedings
Tibaŋsim: Information Access for Low-Resource Environments
Proceedings of 6th ICICT, LNNS 235, pp. 675–683
- 2020
Conference paper
Mr. Meteo: Providing Climate Information for the Unconnected
Companion Publication of the 12th ACM Web Science Conference, pp. 20–25
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Teaching & exchange
Learning through making and questioning
I teach computing as both technical practice and situated problem-solving. My academic exchange and public speaking connect African and European conversations about ICT4D, responsible AI and Digital Humanism.
Collaboration