Since the space syntax mailbase was started over 3 years ago, its
membership has grown from 1 (namely, myself as the original list owner) to
195 people. The growth, size and international scope of the mailbase's
membership is, I think, a good indication of space syntax's slow emergence
and growing importance as a significant branch of a larger field of study,
namely the study of space and its relationship, if any, to social
phenomena.
Over the 3 years I have been the list owner of the space syntax mailbase, I
believe it has played a small but vital role in the development of space
syntax on the international stage, and in the United Kingdom. As I see it,
this role has been mainly in facilitating the opportunity for academics,
practitioners and public officials world-wide to become aware of each other
and expressed their viewpoint in a venue which allows 'interactive' debate
on the part of some, and quiet contemplation on the part of others.
There have not been as many discussions as one might hope for, and too
often many conversations have been carried forward 'behind the scenes',
independent of the mailbase membership (something which Alan Penn commented
on a few months ago). It is because of this - in part - which explains why
I haven't always taken a more active role in moderating discussions, though
when they have taken place my intervention hasn't really been needed as
discussion as always been civil in nature. I have used the mailbase on
several occasions to make people aware of significant events in the world
of space syntax, and will continue to do so in the future. However, a large
part of my administration of the mailbase as list owner has gone 'unseen';
mainly, in the periodically updating the list ownership to ensure that none
of you are bothered by those irksome 'dead' email addresses.
I will be permanently returning to the United States on 15 June to explore
'greener pastures' and, as a consequence, I am required by 'mailbase.ac.uk'
regulations to transfer list ownership to an UK-based individual with a
'@...ac.uk' email address. And although my current [log in to unmask]
email address will remain active for at least the next 6 months (so I can
still be contacted as per usual), it seems prudent to transfer ownership
now to someone who will be better able to oversee the day-to-day demands of
the space syntax mailbase.
By the time your receive and read this 'farewell' email, I will have
transferred list ownership of the space syntax mailbase to Reem Zako at
University College London. I have every confidence that Reem will be able
to oversee the administration of the mailbase as efficiently as I have.
I have enjoyed serving as list owner of the space syntax mailbase,
certainly wish for its continual success and growth in the future, and look
forward to using the mailbase solely as a list member in the future.
Best wishes
Mark David Major
Secretariat, International Space Syntax Steering Committee
____________________________________________________________________
Mark David Major
Lecturer, University College London
Secretariat, International Space Syntax Steering Committee
Contact Address at Work:
The Bartlett School of Graduate Studies
(Torrington Place Site)
University College London
Gower Street
London WC1E 6BT
United Kingdom
tel +44 (0)20 7679 5916
fax +44 (0)20 7916 1887
email [log in to unmask]
Contact Address at Home:
8 Crediton Hill
West Hampstead
London NW6 1HP
United Kingdom
tel +44 (0)20 7431 5278
fax +44 (0)20 7431 8576
email [log in to unmask]
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