Rural Transformation Through Digitalisation? Understanding the Digital in the Context of Rural Change

This paper explores the challenges and potential of digitalisation in rural areas, particularly in the post-analogue era, where the digital divide is starkly evident. The refraction of digitalisation through the lens of rural space recasts the meaning ascribed to rural digitalisation to extend beyond broadband and high-speed connectivity. With a focus on Ireland, the paper aims to understand how rural communities perceive and adopt digitalisation by interviewing experts and practitioners in rural development and digital data. While digitalisation offers transformative potential, its success depends on community needs, capacity, and a co-produced approach. The research underscores the importance of local involvement and tailoring digital solutions to specific rural contexts.