Six papers at Information, Interactions and Impact i3 2015, and a preview of iDocQ 2015

i3 logoThe programme for Information, interactions and impact: i3 2015 has just been published. This international conference, held on a biennial basis in Aberdeen, brings together an international community of academic and practitioner researchers to explore the quality and effectiveness of the interactions between people and information, and how such interactions can bring about change. This year it takes place at the Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordon University from Tuesday June 23rd to Friday June 26th. I’m delighted that six paper proposals that I co-authored for submission to the conference have been accepted, and they can now be seen in the programme.

Five of the six papers draw on projects currently undertaken by colleagues and research students within the Centre for Social Informatics: Christine Irving; Lynn Killick; John Mowbray; Frances Ryan; and Louise Rasmussen. These are:

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Appointment as Chair of the Research Councils UK Digital Economy Theme Programme Advisory Board

rcuk_logo

I have recently been appointed Chair of the Research Councils UK Digital Economy (DE) Theme Programme Advisory Board (PAB). I take over the role from Brian Collins, Professor of Engineering Policy and Director of the International Centre for Infrastructure Futures at University College London.

My appointment builds on previous work that I have conducted for the DE Theme. This includes: serving on the 12-person panel that conducted the 2012 impact review of the DE Theme investment; involvement in an additional stream of DE research undertaken under the banner of “digital personhood” (I helped identify the scope of the investment and served as a mentor at the sandpit meeting where project ideas were germinated); and reviewing grant proposals and other panel work. I was first appointed a member of the PAB in 2014.

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Applications invited for 25 PhD studentships at Edinburgh Napier University, start date 1 October 2015

Edinburgh Napier logoEdinburgh Napier University is currently inviting applications for 25 fully-funded PhD studentships across a range of research areas. Included in these areas are six topics of relevance to the research interests of the Centre for Social Informatics. These are:

  • e-Government
  • Information policy
  • Information seeking behaviour and use
  • Knowledge management
  • Online communities
  • Open data and open government

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Prizes, papers, and a new publication on success factors in information systems development projects

John Mowbray's winning poster

John Mowbray’s winning poster

We currently have eight research students undertaking doctoral studies in the Centre for Social Informatics (CSI) working on a variety of projects. While the goal of our students is to complete their theses within the degree registration period, it’s also important that they share news of their work as it progresses. A number of our current students have recently been busy taking advantage of opportunities to disseminate their research. New work on success factors in information systems projects co-authored by a PhD graduate has also been accepted for publication.

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Applications invited for Lecturer, Associate Professor and Professor appointments within Edinburgh Napier’s School of Computing

I’m always excited when we advertise for new staff and research students, particularly when they are in my area. Who will apply? Who will be short-listed for interview? Who will be offered the job? How will the new appointee contribute to teaching of the Information Systems group? What will the new appointee bring to the research in the Centre for Social Informatics?

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Applications invited for ESRC Scottish Graduate School of Social Science Doctoral Training Centre studentship competition

Scottish Graduate School of Social Science logoAs a member of the Information Science Pathway of the ESRC Scottish Graduate School of Social Science Doctoral Training Centre (SGS-DTC) Edinburgh Napier University is currently inviting applications for this year’s studentship competition.

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iDocQ Information Science doctoral colloquium 2014 #idocq2014: a review

Information Science Pathway logoiDocQ, the annual doctoral colloquium for students studying for PhDs in information science and other related disciplines, took place this year on 27th June at the University of Glasgow. It attracted participants at all stages of doctoral study, with students travelling to Glasgow from as far away as Aberystwyth to join in the activities on the day.

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Applications invited for PhD studentship: The evolution of social networking and its impact on career management skills

IIDI logoWe are currently advertising a fully-funded PhD studentship hosted by the Centre for Social Informatics, (my research centre within the Institute for Informatics and Digital Innovation) at Edinburgh Napier University. (The actual advert can be found on jobs.ac.uk and the Edinburgh Napier University vacancies web site.)

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Two events for research students in Information Science: research methods training, and iDocQ 2014

Information Science Pathway logoFrom Wednesday 25th to Friday 27th June the Information Science pathway of ESRC Scottish Graduate School of Social Science information science pathway is hosting three days of activities offered free of charge to PhD students in Information Science and related disciplines (with travel bursaries available to students registered at Scottish universities that are members of the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science).

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ESRC Final Year Conference 2014 reviewed

Conference dinner at the National Museum of Scotland

Conference dinner at the National Museum of Scotland by Kate Cowan, @katecowan

This year’s ESRC final year conference was hosted by the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science. I was pleased join the delegates at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on Friday 25th April as one of the presenters.

The heavy emphasis on research impact, career pathways, and sources of future funding at the conference was well-suited to the needs of the delegates, the majority of whom were doctoral students approaching their final submission dates. I also enjoyed talking to the students about their research and career aspirations in the breaks between sessions, and during the poster display at the drinks reception immediately prior to the conference dinner.

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