Dr. Wouter Grove

Wouter completed his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Information Systems, UWC & Doctor in Media and Communication Studies, Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Belgium (Joint Degree) in 2023. He is an Affiliated Senior researcher at SMIT, as well as a Post-Doctoral Researcher & Manager: Special Projects: Western Cape CoLab for eInclusion and Social Innovation situated at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). He also established and manages the UWC-Samsung Future-Innovation Lab. His research interests include Digital Platform Design, Inclusive Design & Co-creation; AI & its societal implications, as well as inclusive digital transformation. His expertise and experience span multiple domains, and he have published work in fields such as Information Systems, Knowledge Management, Human Geography, Public Leadership, Digital Inclusion, and Social Innovation. Prior to entering academia, he managed various projects at the board and senior executive levels across various industries, including Financial Services, Information Technology, Contact Centers, Security & Risk Management, Retail, Supply Chain & Logistics, as well as Government and Parastatal Sectors.

Wouter’s research focus includes Digital Platform Design, Inclusive Design & Co-creation; AI & its societal implications, as well as inclusive digital transformation. He managed various digital inclusion and social innovation interventions at the Western Cape CoLab since 2013. Managed the establishment of the UWC Samsung Future-Innovation Lab in 2019 as an impactful employment and skills accelerator. Beneficiaries (previously disadvantaged youth) are trained on cutting edge software development skills (incl. generative AI) to enable them to build careers in software development. The programme has been successful in developing and refining innovative new models of creating appropriately skilled entry-level developers. Other recent research projects focused on digital inclusion and digital social innovation, including the DSFOne (a digital skills framework for South Africa) and the creation of an AI Maturity Index for South Africa (funded by giz)