3rd Digital Cultures Workshop

*3rd Digital Cultures Workshop -- Navigating Multiplicity #digcult10*
University of Salford, UK.
1-2 July 2010
Organizers

Ben Light, Marie Griffiths and Gordon Fletcher -University of Salford, UK.
Steve Sawyer - Syracuse University, UK.
Sian Lincoln - Liverpool John Moores University, UK.

*
Confirmed Speakers*

Professor Susanna Paasonen
Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies - University of Helsinki

Dr Kylie Jarrett
Centre for Media Studies -- National University of Ireland Manooth

There is still negotiation regarding the novelty of Web 2.0 and social media.  Yet, whether these arrangements are 'new' or recombinants/re-presentations of extant things, it is very much the case that in many societies, those that would not have engaged with such arrangements in the past are, and that different sites of such arrangements are becoming easier to connect with each other.  Thus, we are increasingly faced with the issue of having to navigate multiple places across and connected with the Internet.  Unsurprisingly, those in commercial and other formal organizations are also making these connections too.  This year we hope the workshop will tackle issues associated with the multi-sited nature of digital culture.  However, as usual, we intend for the workshop to be multi-disciplinary in nature, broad in the approaches participants take and issues they cover. If your work is about any aspect of digital culture, this is the workshop for you! The following are thus only indicative of potential topics that could be raised:

   * What kinds of sites/spaces are being connected and why?
   * How does identity feature in multi-sitedness?
   * How does multi-sitedness feature in our knowledge and experiences
     of gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity and disability?
   * What are the problems and benefits of sociotechnical convergence?
   * What roles are mobile and ubiquitous/pervasive computing
     technologies playing in multi-sitedness?
   * How are commercial and non-commercial artifacts, digital
     games/TV/Radio/newsprint for example, being situated within and
     across physical and virtual spaces?

Following from the first two workshops we continue to see this workshop having three purposes. First, we seek to give voice and structure to existing digital media, ICT and technology related research which may not readily sit within conventionally accepted areas. Second, we wish to draw in research on new forms of digital technology, ICT, computing, organizing and social interactions. Third, we want to continue discussions regarding potential futures for ICT related research, which combine research as related to the evolving forms and functions of organizations and the changing boundaries and relations between these organizations and their social milieus.

We seek abstracts (of up to 600 words) that focus upon an aspect of digital culture. We hope to have a special issue of a journal associated with the workshop, as in the past.  A special issue of Information Technology and People will be published early in 2011 and this has attracted papers from the 2009 event.  Abstracts should be submitted to Ben Light at: b.light@salford.ac.uk

*Important Dates*
Abstract Submission Date:     31 May 2010
Notification of Acceptance:     6 June  2010
Workshop Dates:                    1 and 2 July 2010

*Workshop Arrangements*
The fee for presentation/attendance at the workshop is £80. This will cover refreshments and meals throughout the workshop and a workshop dinner to be held on the evening of the 4th of June.

There is no fee for PhD students, however they still need to register for the workshop with Deborah Woodman (details below). PhD student registration includes refreshments during the workshop but excludes attendance at the workshop dinner (This is subject to a £25 fee, payable upon registration).

From Mid May 2010, you will be able to register for the workshop at: https://shop.salford.ac.uk

*Location of the workshop*
The workshop will be held at CUBE.  CUBE (Centre for the Urban Built Environment) is an architecture centre and a member of the Architecture Centre Network. Located in the city centre of Manchester on Portland Street, it occupies a 500m2 gallery and seminar space. The remit of CUBE is to create and promote understanding of the built environment through activities including exhibitions, events, debates, educational projects and publications.

If you experience any difficulties regarding the workshop arrangements, please do get in touch with Deborah Woodman: d.woodman@salford.ac.uk


Details of accommodation can be found at: http://www.benlight.org/2010/04/3rd-digital-cultures-workshop-navigating-multiplicity-digcult10/  Sorry folks I've used my underused blog to get this out as it was quicker than institutional means and time is passing by!

Ben.

-- Ben Light
Professor of Digital Media
Communication, Cultural and Media Studies Research Centre
Associate Head of School - Research and Innovation
School of Media, Music and Performance
University of Salford
Adelphi House
SALFORD
M3 6EN

Tel. +44 (0)161 295 5443

www.benlight.org
www.smmp.salford.ac.uk