iCOMMS (Information for Community Services) is a transdisciplinary research group housed in the Department of Information Systems at the University of Cape Town. Since its establishment in 2011, iCOMMS has focused on how digital technologies can be designed and applied to support equitable access to essential services, especially in under-resourced and marginalised communities.
Our work moves beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries, drawing from information systems, public services, gender studies, design thinking, and social sciences. We engage directly with municipalities, NGOs, and community stakeholders, combining academic research with real-world implementation. Through this approach, iCOMMS generates context-sensitive, people-centred, and socially responsive ICT innovations.
iCOMMS is led by Professor Ulrike Rivett, an internationally recognised scholar in ICT4D (Information and Communication Technologies for Development). Her research explores how ICTs can be harnessed to transform service delivery and promote social justice, particularly in African contexts. She recently led the GeJuSTA project (Gender Justice in STEM in Africa), a multi-country initiative aimed at embedding gender-aware design practices in STEM and digital innovation.
Our approach is both academic and applied: we contribute to scholarly research while training the next generation of ICT4D practitioners and supporting meaningful impact in communities. Whether through peer-reviewed publications, field-based studies, or postgraduate supervision, iCOMMS is committed to building an inclusive, equitable and responsive digital future.