Project “Digital Divide and Social Inequalities: Levels, Actors and Interactions”
funded by the Bulgarian National Science Fund at the Ministry of Education and Science.
Implementation period: 24.11.2021 – 29.09.2025
Within the four-year project period, a wide range of activities have been carried out, contributing to the development of “digital sociology” and to deepening research on digital inequalities. A comprehensive theoretical model was developed, identifying three categories of digital inequalities: socio-professional, socio-cultural, and regional.
The scientific achievements of the project focus on building a concept of social inclusion under conditions of digital transformation—particularly for low-educated and low-income social groups, ethnic minorities with low Over the four-year project period, a wide range of activities has been carried out, contributing to the development of “digital sociology” and disabilities, individuals at the end of their working careers, and residents of rural areas.
The study explores the patterns of reproduction of social inequalities stemming from the lack of access to digital services, insufficient online skills, as well as the limited benefits and growing risks associated with digital communication. The project also investigates the transformative effects of digital technologies in an international comparative perspective, particularly regarding improved access to educational opportunities in countries with high levels of digitalization.
Within the project framework, 34 scientific papers were published in refereed and non-refereed international journals and thematic volumes, including three with impact factor:
- Zdravkov, S. (2025). E-Learning Beyond the Classroom: Investigating Socio-Economic Inequalities in Online Educational Practices Among Bulgarian Students. Journal for Critical Education Policy Studies, 22(3), 415–438. SJR (2024): 0.248, Q3. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/388484103_E-Learning_Beyond_the_Classroom_Investigating_Socio-Economic_Inequalities_in_Online_Educational_Practices_Among_Bulgarian_Students_httpswwwjcepscomarchives17623
- Stoilova, R., Ilieva-Trichkova, P. (2025) (in press). Digitalization and Inequality: The Impact on Adult Education Participation Across Social Classes and Genders. World (MDPI). https://susy.mdpi.com/user/manuscripts/review_info/035c952f30c991cb708adb0331510fe1
- Zheleva, R., Petkova, K., Zdravkov, S. (2025). Divergent Paths of SME Digitalisation: A Latent Class Approach to Regional Modernisation in the European Union. World (MDPI), 6(4), 144. https://doi.org/10.3390/world6040144
The published analyses present a broad spectrum of expert knowledge aimed at supporting policy development in the digital domain on a range of pressing topics: education and digital skills, labour and employment (with a focus on the lower segments of the middle and working classes), small and medium-sized enterprises, regional ecosystems, and access to fast, efficient, and affordable online connectivity, as well as the development of e-government and digital democracy. The project contributes to the advancement of sociology as an interdisciplinary science, positioned at the intersection of the social and technical disciplines. The results demonstrate the importance of collaboration between practitioners and academic researchers, who, through their studies, can address the growing challenges arising from the development of the internet and artificial intelligence. The outcomes of the project contribute to building a new roadmap for the future of contemporary societies, where polarization remains only a possible scenario—one that can be anticipated and effectively overcome in time.
Project team:
Project Leader: Prof. D.Sc. Rumiana Stoilova ()
Members:
PhD Petya Kabakchieva, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
D.Sc. Rumiana Zheleva, Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, BAS,
Prof. PhD Kaloyan Haralampiev, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”
Prof. PhD Vilyana Ruseva, Burgas Free University –
Senior Assistant Prof. PhD Kamelia Petkova, Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, BAS
Senior Assistant Prof. PhD Stefan Markov, Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, BAS
Senior Assistant Prof. PhD Marieta Hristova, University of National and World Economy
Senior Assistant Prof. PhD Martin Konstantinov, Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at BAS
Senior Assistant Prof. PhD Svetlomir Zdravkov, Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at BAS
Vladimir Vladov, BAS, Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at BAS
Aleksandar Kolyachev, PhD student at the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, BAS
Miroslav Tomov, PhD student at the Unirersity of Library Studies and Information Tehnologies
Principal Investigator: Prof. Rumiana Stoilova, DSc
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Philosophy and Sociology (IPhS-BAS)
, , 0897 807 770
Bulgaria, Sofia 1000, Serdika Str. 4,
https://www.facebook.com/DigitalDivideBG
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This project aims to study the possibility of establishing and expanding the actually derived
offline benefits from the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in Bulgaria in order to improve the life chances of various categories of users and reduce socio-economic and socio demographic inequalities. We investigate within the project the interrelation between digital divide (inequalities in the access, abilities and use) and welfare policies for reducing social inequalities especially concerning women in STEM disciplines and working in ICT sector, older people living in small settlements and villages, for low service class, where women predominate, unskilled workers and small owners facing difficulties in introducing digital technologies in their work. Gender segregation and inequalities between occupations with different men-women integration, the underrepresentation of women in STEM (Van der Vleuten, Steinmetz, van de Werfhorst 2018) are important part of the project with a focus on the digital domain. Bulgaria has a leading position in the indicators for women participation among students and employed women in ICT sector, following the Digital Economy and Society Index; however recent trends show decrease of young girls studying STEM disciplines.
Regional inequalities and imbalances are also serious social problem for Bulgaria. This is why this project has near interest on two selected regions for the investigation of the horizontal aspects of the digital connectivity: South Eastern and South Central regions.
At micro-level, we apply intersectional approach, defined as the interaction between different categories of inequality with main focus on class-ethnicity-gender. The project applies a “multi-dimensional stratification approach” (Max Weber), and investigates socio-digital inequalities (Helsper 2021,Ragnedda 2017). The quantitative comparative research is based on the classification of social groups (Oesh 2023, Erikson, Goldthorpe 1992; Goldthorpe 2000), adopted by the International Social Survey Program (ISSP) and European Social Survey (ESS) that use quantitative micro-data. In addition we apply quantitative methods – in-dept interviews and focus group discussions for more precise account of the social context in both regions included in the project. Media monitoring is focused on the most actual topics discussed in relation to digital inequalities, barriers and risks for vulnerable groups in the society.
Contact:
Prof. Rumiana Stoilova
,
Mobile : +359 89 7807 770
https://ips-bas.org/digitaldividebg/
https://www.facebook.com/DigitalDivideBG
https://ips-bas.org/
Articles/Book chapters
Stoilova, R.2023. Gender Inequalities in the Digital Domain. Bulgaria in a Comparative Perspective, In: Jeleva,R. (Ed.) Young Generation and Next Europe, Publisher: Marin Drinov, 73-89, ISBN 978-619-245-325-1. https://press.bas.bg/bg/eBooks-105/show-106(67)
Стоилова,Р.,Илиева-Тричкова,П. 2023. Социално-икономически неравенства при онлайн комуникацията, Социологически проблеми, кн. 2, Институт по философия и социология, БАН,БСА,583-604, https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=1205879.
Markov. S. 2023. Bridging the Digital Divide: A Comparative Analysis of Media Literacy in Europe and Bulgaria during the Pandemic. In: Jeleva,R. (Ed.) Young Generation and Next Europe, Publisher: Marin Drinov, 89-102, ISBN 978-619-245-325-1. https://press.bas.bg/bg/eBooks-105/show-106(67)
Katsarska,K. 2023. An Intersectional Approach To Digital Inequalities In Bulgaria In A Post-Communist Context. The Importance Of Gender And Ethnicity, In: Rahimova,S., Kaur,K. (Ed.) The Proceedings Book, World Women Conference-VI September 17-19, 2023 / Ankara, Türkiye, IKSAD Publications,p.226-238, ISBN: 978-625-8254-25-9. https://press.bas.bg/bg/eBooks-105/show-106(67)
Konstantinov. M.2023. The digital divide and e-government development in the 2023 election programs of Bulgarian political parties: promises and realities in the wider EU context. In: Jeleva,R. (Ed.) Young Generation and Next Europe, Publisher: Marin Drinov, 102-117, ISBN 978-619-245-325-1. https://press.bas.bg/bg/eBooks-105/show-106(67)
Petkova. K. 2023. Digital Skills: A Necessity or a Possibility for the Professional Realization of Youths in Bulgaria. In: Jeleva,R. (Ed.) Young Generation and Next Europe, Publisher: Marin Drinov, 144-158, ISBN 978-619-245-325-1.
Pеtkova К. 2022. Digital Technologies: A Field of New Opportunities or an Obstacle for the Personal and Professional Realization of Persons from the Roma Community. International Journal Knowledge. Scientific Papers, Vol. 55.5, Institute of Knowledge Management, Skopje, 2022, ISSN:1857-923Х, pp.973-979. Global Impact and Quality Factor: 1.822 (2017).
Петкова, К. 2022. (приета за печат). Достьп, умения и ползи от дигитализацията в условията на COVID епидемия и променящия се пазар на труда“ В: сборник „Икономическо развитие и политики: реалности и перспективи. Предизвикателства и рискове в условията на наслагващи се кризи, – София 21-22 ноември
