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By Marcus Foth, 05/08/2010 8:57 pm

Find out about the exciting uses the near future holds for you and your mobile phone at QUT’s Urban Informatics showcase at the Ekka tomorrow, Tuesday, August 10th from 1 to 5pm.

A team of PhD students and early career researchers will demonstrate their work in ubiquitous computing, urban informatics, social media, and mobile phone applications at the National Science Week Pavilion.

QUT Professor Marcus Foth said the work of the Urban Informatics Research Lab was strategically positioned at the intersection of people, place and technology with a view to exploring new opportunities afforded by real-time, ubiquitous technology that links the physical city with the digital city.

“The projects we have selected allow Ekka visitors to participate in our research work and try out new ideas and prototype systems themselves,” said Professor Foth, who is the founder and team leader of the QUT Urban Informatics Research Lab.

“FixVegas, for example, is a simple yet powerful application we have released for the iPhone. It uses the in-built camera, GPS and internet access to allow Brisbane residents to report maintenance requests, such as broken park benches and pot holes in the streets, to Brisbane City Council.

“We will also demonstrate innovative ways to visualise music listening preferences and song choices in public places, a novel approach to allow people to engage in urban planning that we have developed in collaboration with Brisbane City Council, as well as new interface designs to convey information about domestic energy consumption in real-time.”

QUT PhD candidate Ronald Schroeter’s project, Discussions in Space, will also be showcased.

“This project is designed to allow residents to have their say about the future of Brisbane by installing large public screens at central locations. Passersby are invited to comment on and leave their ‘bright ideas’ on Brisbane’s River City Blueprint – the new master plan for the inner city – using their mobile phone via SMS, Twitter or a website,” Mr Schroeter said.

Dr Jaz Choi, an Australian Postdoctoral Fellow on the team, will showcase a project that gives visual representations of the user’s ecological impact and opportunities to engage and collaborate in fostering a sustainable food culture in Queensland.

“This project will go beyond merely informing by aiming to motivate and encourage to change and take action,” said Dr Choi.

The National Science Week pavilion at the Ekka is part of Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology and aims to encourage many scientific, bio technology, computer science and engineering communities to open their doors and ‘ignite the imagination’ of the public by demonstrating their science, engineering and technology achievements.

For more information, go to www.urbaninformatics.net and www.ekka.com.au

Media contact: Niki Widdowson, 07 3138 1841 or n.widdowson@qut.edu.au

http://www.news.qut.edu.au/cgi-bin/WebObjects/News.woa/wa/goNewsPage?newsEventID=33261

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By Marcus Foth, 03/08/2010 11:02 am

Foth, M., Forlano, L., Gibbs, M., & Satchell, C. (Eds.) (2011, forthcoming). From Social Butterfly to Engaged Citizen: Urban Informatics, Social Media, Ubiquitous Computing, and Mobile Technology to Support Citizen Engagement. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Web applications such as blogs, wikis, video and photo sharing sites, and social networking systems have been termed ‘Web 2.0’ to highlight an arguably more open, collaborative, personalisable, and therefore more participatory internet experience than what had previously been possible. Giving rise to a culture of participation, an increasing number of these social applications are now available on mobile phones where they take advantage of device-specific features such as sensors, location and context awareness. This international volume of book chapters will make a contribution towards exploring and better understanding the opportunities and challenges provided by tools, interfaces, methods and practices of social and mobile technology that enable participation and engagement. It brings together an international group of academics and practitioners from a diverse range of disciplines such as computing and engineering, social sciences, digital media and human-computer interaction to critically examine a range of applications of social and mobile technology, such as social networking, mobile interaction, wikis, twitter, blogging, virtual worlds, shared displays and urban sceens, and their impact to foster community activism, civic engagement and cultural citizenship.

Editors

Marcus Foth, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Laura Forlano, Cornell University, USA
Martin Gibbs, The University of Melbourne, Australia
Christine Satchell, Queensland University of Technology, Australia

Section 1: Theories of Engagement

Foreword
Phoebe Sengers, Cornell University, USA

The Ideas and Ideals in Urban Media Theory
Martin de Waal, University of Groningen, NL

The Moral Economy of Social Media
Paul Dourish, University of California, Irvine, USA, & Christine Satchell, QUT, Australia

The Protocological Surround: Reconceptualising Radio and Architecture in the Wireless City
Gillian Fuller, & Ross Harley, University of NSW, Australia

Mobile Media and the Strategies of Urban Citizenship: Discipline, Responsibilisation, Politicisation
Kurt Iveson, University of Sydney, Australia

Section 2: Civic Engagement

Foreword
Yvonne Rogers, Open University, UK

Food in the City & Beyond: Desining Ubiquitous Technologies for Sustainable Food Culture
Jaz Hee-jeong Choi, QUT, & Eli Blevis, Indiana University, USA

Building Digital Participation Hives toward a Local Public Sphere
Fiorella de Cindio, & Cristian Peraboni, University of Milano, Italy

Between Experience, Affect, and Information: Experimental Urban Interfaces in the Climate Change Debate
Jonas Fritsch, & Martin Brynskov, Aarhus University, Denmark

More than Friends: Social and Mobile Media for Activist Organizations
Tad Hirsch, Intel People and Practices Research, USA

The Rise of the Expert Amateur: Citizen Science and Micro-Volunteerism
Eric Paulos, Sunyoung Kim, Stacey Kuznetsov, Carnegie Mellon University, USA

Section 3: Creative Engagement

Foreword
Gary Marsden, University of Cape Town, South Africa

Street Haunting: Sounding the Invisible City
Sarah Barns, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia

Family Worlds: Technological Engagement for Families Negotiating Urban Traffic
Hilary Davis, Peter Francis, Bjorn Nansen, & Frank Vetere, The University of Melbourne, Australia

Urban Media: New Complexities, New Possibilities — A Manifesto
Christopher Kirwan, & Sven Travis, Parsons — The New School for Design, USA

Bjørnetjeneste: Using the City as a Backdrop for Location-Based Interactive Narratives
Jeni Paay, & Jesper Kjeldskov, Aalborg University, Denmark

Section 4: Technologies of Engagement

Foreword
Atau Tanaka, Newcastle University, UK

Sensing, Projecting and Interpreting Digital Identity through Bluetooth: From Anonymous Encounters to Social Engagement
Ava Fatah gen. Schieck 1, Freya Palmer 2, Alan Penn 1, & Eamonn O’Neill 2
1 University College London, UK, 2 University of Bath, UK

Engaging Citizens and Community with the UBI-Hotspots
Timo Ojala, Timo, & Hannu Kukka, University of Oulu, Finland

Crowdsensing in the Web: Analyzing the Citizen Experience in the Urban Space
Francisco C. Pereira, Andrea Vaccari, Fabien Giardin, Carnaven Chiu, & Carlo Ratti, Senseable City Lab, MIT, USA

Section 5: Design Engagement

Foreword
Mark Blythe, University of York, UK

A Streetscape Portal
Michael Arnold, The University of Melbourne, Australia

Non-Anthropocentrism and the Non-Human in Design: Possibilities for Designing New Forms of Engagement with and through Technology
Carl DiSalvo, & Jonathan Lukens, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA

Dramatic Character Development Personas to Tailor Apartment Designs for Different Residential Lifestyles
Marcus Foth, Christine Satchell, Greg Hearn, & Danielle Shelton, QUT, Australia

Epilogue

Judith Donath, MIT, USA

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By Marcus Foth, 15/07/2010 10:49 am

The Urban Informatics Research Lab, the Institute for Creative Industries & Innovation, the ARC Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries & Innovation, and BEE School of Design are proud to present guest seminars by:

Dr Anne Galloway, Victoria University of Wellington

1. Speculative Design as a Research Method

Monday, 30 August 2010, 11 am – 12 noon
Please RSVP by 24 August 2010 to Ben Kraal <b.kraal@qut.edu.au>
Queensland University of Technology, Gardens Point Campus, S Block, room 620

Abstract

Design is increasingly seen as a creative and productive means of engaging imagined social and technological futures, but what kind of knowledge is being produced and how can we assess the impact of this kind of research? This talk outlines a project that aims to address these methodological concerns through a critical exploration of how NZ’s merino wool industry could be reconfigured by future RFID-based animal and product traceability initiatives.

2. Counting Sheep: New Zealand Merino Wool in an Internet of Things

Tuesday, 31 August 2010, 11 am – 12 noon, followed by light refreshments (to 1 pm)
Please RSVP by 25 August 2010 to julieanne.edwards@qut.edu.au
Queensland University of Technology, Council Room (A105), A Block (map)
Victoria Park Rd, Kelvin Grove QLD 4059

Abstract

Pervasive computing brings together wireless, networked and context-aware technologies, including Global Positioning System (GPS), environmental sensors and Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), to embed computational capacities in the objects and environments that surround us. The “Internet of Things” is a related vision for future computing that proposes a shift from a network of interconnected computers to a network of interconnected objects. By virtue of their status as highly regulated and globally traded commodities, livestock animals and animal products have long been tracked and are primed to be amongst the first non-humans in such a network. Specifically, RFID-enabled livestock traceability programmes are increasingly being mandated by governments and agricultural industries worldwide to better support management of disease outbreaks and maintain access to high-value export markets. In these technologically determinist traceability scenarios, animals are largely envisioned as manageable and saleable information and farmers are more often positioned as technicians and data collectors than as animal caregivers.

This project investigates the role that cultural studies and design can play in presenting both producers and consumers with alternate visions for the future of human-animal relations. Through a juxtaposition of technological livestock management programmes and non-technological wool industry products and services, this presentation will critically question the social and cultural implications of emergent technologies and existing traceability efforts. Particular attention will be given to articulating research practices and stakeholder relations that can significantly engage relevant issues and avoid the pitfalls of both dystopian and utopian futurism.

Biography

Anne recently relocated from Canada (a.k.a. The Great White North) to take up a position as Senior Lecturer in Design Research at the School of Design, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Drawing on a background in sociology and anthropology, her research focusses on emergent technologies in their visual, discursive, material and practical manifestations. Anne really likes animals and technology, and you can learn more about her and the world’s best cat™ on the web at plsj.org or on twitter @annegalloway.

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By Marcus Foth, 05/07/2010 9:59 am

Call for Participation and Presentations
Research for Action: Networking University and Community for Social Responsibility

A workshop in conjunction with Making Links 2010
Monday, 15 Nov 2010, Perth, Western Australia

www.makinglinks.org.au/news/research-for-action

Workshop Theme

This workshop brings together people from a diverse range of disciplines to discuss how academic researchers and community practitioners and activists can work together to explore the use of information and communication technologies, social media, augmented reality, and other forms of network technologies for research and action in pursuit of social responsibility. The aim is to connect people with ideas, ideas with research projects, and harness new media to further inquiry into socially just outcomes in our community.

Participation

There are two ways in which you can participate in this workshop. You can either come along as a general participant, including having the chance to present a short position statement on your current research needs, projects or ideas (whether as a researcher or active practitioner), or you can present a paper (full length papers to be selected on the basis of peer review). Workshop costs AU$ 85 if you also register for Making Links 2010, or AU$ 145 if you only attend the workshop. Morning/afternoon tea breaks and lunch included.

A. General participation stream

Position Statements: We are calling for 300-500 word position statements expressing the interest in the workshop and the disciplinary background of the participant.

06 Sep 2010 Submission of short position statements by email to the workshop chairs

30 Sep 2010 Notification of acceptance (early-bird rate closes 1 Oct 2010)

B. Peer reviewed publication stream

Full papers for peer review and publication in a special issue of the Journal of Community Informatics: http://www.ci-journal.net/index.php/ciej/about/submissions#onlineSubmissions

06 Sep 2010 Submission of full papers for peer review by email to the workshop chairs

30 Sep 2010 Notification of acceptance (early-bird rate closes 1 Oct 2010)

01 Nov 2010 Revised, camera ready papers due

Workshop Keynote Speaker

Douglas Schuler has been focusing on the intersection of society and technology for over 25 years. He has written and co-edited several books, including Participatory Design: Principles and Practices (Erlbaum, 1994), New Community Networks: Wired for Change (Addison-Wesley, 1996; http://www.publicsphereproject.org/ncn/), and most recently, Liberating Voices: A Pattern Language for Communication Revolution (MIT Press, 2008), a multi-year undertaking (still in-work) with 85 contributors. He is president of the Public Sphere Project (http://www.publicsphereproject.org/) and former chair of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility. For CPSR, Doug organized the Directions and Implications of Advanced Computing symposia series which was first convened in 1987. He is also a co-founder of the Seattle Community Network, a free, public access computer network supporting community and civic engagement that first went online in 1994. He is a member of the Faculty at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, a non-traditional liberal arts college, where he teaches programs that focus on the idea of civic intelligence. Doug has a masters degree in computer science (University of Washington) and a masters in software engineering (Seattle University). He is working on his PhD.

Workshop Chairs

Professor Matthew Allen (@netcrit), Internet Studies, Curtin University of Technology
m.allen AT curtin.edu.au

Associate Professor Marcus Foth (@sunday9pm), Urban Informatics, Queensland University of Technology
m.foth AT qut.edu.au

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By Marcus Foth, 04/07/2010 9:03 pm

Academic Career Development Workshop for Research Students and Early Career Academics

in conjunction with Internet Research 11, Gothenburg, Sweden, 20 October 2010

http://ir11.aoir.org/program/pre-conference-workshops/

Description

For research students and early career academics, universities offer resources that help develop their research skills – for example, critical theory development, literature reviews, research methods, data analysis, writing skills, etc. However, building a successful career in academia poses a wide range of new challenges in addition to the pure academic craft of research. The resources and resilience one needs in order to shape an academic career path often appear ambiguous, particularly in the innately transformative field of Internet research. In response to feedback from AoIR members, this full-day workshop seeks to address this concern by offering a supportive and constructive environment to discuss career development related issues that are of specific interest to research students and early career academics.

The first half of the workshop is devoted to the process of transitioning into research student training and supervision. In the second half, we will look at issues of academic leadership. The workshop chairs, along with invited senior academic researchers, will share with the participants some of their off-the-record insights of their career development milestones and the related decisions that have shaped their career paths. The workshop chairs will act as facilitators and moderators who will encourage the participants to join the discussion and share their own views and experiences with the rest of the group. The goal is to establish a peer support atmosphere that bridges disciplinary, cultural, and regional differences in order to distill the common skills and capabilities that are necessary to identify and seize opportunities for shaping one’s own career trajectory in academia. The main topics of discussion for each session will be negotiated with the participants on the day. This is to make the workshop as relevant and practical to the participants as possible.

Schedule

The following is the proposed activity plan:

09.00 – 12.00 Research training and supervision

• Building a track record
• On and offline communication and collaboration tools
• Mode of Thesis: Monograph / By Publications / Exegesis
• New ways of building and communicating knowledge

12.00 – 13.00 Lunch

13.00 – 17.00 Academic leadership

• Identifying significant research trends and building momentum and engagement
• Building and managing a multidisciplinary research team
• Social media tools for research and stakeholder relationship management
• Recruiting research partner organisations and liaising with external stakeholders
• Project management and research budget accounting
• Human resources: recruitment, performance planning, and review
• Research-teaching nexus
• Promotion and tenure

The final selection of the invited senior academics is to be confirmed.

Fees & Logistics

• Date: Wednesday, 20 October 2010
• Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Location: Chalmers student union building, room TBA.
• Fee: 330 SEK
• Lunch and coffee included.
• Facebook event entry: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=110293655687140

Submission & Participation

The number of participants in this workshop is limited to 25. If you are interested in attending, please send an email by 1 Sep 2010 to both workshop organisers with a single PDF file that contains:

• Your name,
• Affiliation,
• 200 word biography,
• 200 word statement expressing your career aspirations, and what you hope to get out of your participation in this workshop.

Contact

Associate Professor Marcus Foth

Email: m.foth AT qut.edu.au

Web: www.urbaninformatics.net

Dr Jaz Hee-jeong Choi

Email: h.choi AT qut.edu.au

Web: www.nicemustard.com

Organizers

Associate Professor Marcus Foth is Principal Research Fellow with the Institute for Creative Industries and Innovation, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia, and founder and team leader of the Urban Informatics Research Lab. He received a QUT Vice-Chancellor’s Research Fellowship (2009-2011), and a Smart Futures Fellowship from the Queensland State Government (2009-2011), co-sponsored by National ICT Australia (NICTA). He was awarded the inaugural Australian Business Foundation Research Fellowship on Innovation and Cultural Industries 2010 sponsored by the Aurora Foundation. He was an ARC Australian Postdoctoral Fellow (2006-2008), and a 2007 Visiting Fellow at the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, UK. Dr Foth’s research explores human-computer interaction design and development at the intersection of people, place and technology with a focus on urban informatics, locative media and mobile applications. The high quality of his research work has attracted over $1.7M in national competitive grants and industry funding since 2006. Dr Foth has published over 70 articles in journals, edited books, and conference proceedings. He is the editor of the Handbook of Research on Urban Informatics (2009), and is currently co-editing the book “From Social Butterfly to Engaged Citizen” for MIT Press (2011). He was on the AoIR Executive Committee between 2007 and 2009. He is the conference chair of the 5th International Conference on Communities and Technologies 2011 in Brisbane.

Dr Jaz Hee-jeong Choi is an ARC Australian Postdoctoral Fellow (Industry) at the Institute for Creative Industries and Innovation, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia. Her research interests are in playful technology, particularly the ways in which various forms of playful interaction are designed, developed, and integrated in different cultural contexts. In her recently completed doctoral research, she developed a new conceptual approach to urban sustainability that recognises ‘play’ as the core of transformative interactions in cities as ubiquitous technosocial networks. Her current research explores designing and developing playful ubiquitous technologies to cultivate sustainable food culture in urban environments. She has collaborated with leading international researchers and published across various disciplines, which as been a fun journey, but she is looking forward to even more – or some would say, ‘the real’ – fun to come.