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Workshop on the Social Aspects of Communication Technologies - Northumbria University, 8th November 2004
Contributions in the form of 4 page position papers are invited for a one-day workshop at Northumbria University
SOCIAL ASPECTS OF COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES
Access to communication technologies is increasing at a tremendous rate as devices become both affordable and more diverse. In recent years designers have paid attention to enhanced functionality and the way in which we interact with communication technologies for task-based purposes. Much progress has been made in area of the user interface and implications for usability measures such as learning and satisfaction are now better understood. However, these communication technologies are increasingly being used in a social context to support and extend relationships between individuals and between groups of people and organisations. Yet the social aspects of these communication technologies have often been overlooked by researchers and designers keen to create task based products. Many current communication technologies have been noted for their social properties and we now recognise that devices designed for task-based interactions are soon given a more social purpose by their users. With this in mind we feel that attention should now focus on the social aspects of communication technologies if we are to better understand how and why people are using and adapting communication technologies to suit their social lives. Issues of interest include but are not limited to trust, privacy and community. We want to focus on issues of context, purpose and benefit to see if we can build up a richer, more detailed account of real technology usage across a variety of settings and technologies.
ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION INCLUDE:
1) The need to understand how current communication technologies shape the social lives of their users
2) An examination of current technology use; what kinds of communication technologies are people using and why?
3) What factors influence take-up and continued use of communication technologies?
4) Environmental factors; are people using different communication technologies in the home and in the workplace? What is the interplay between environment and context and the device itself?
5) Evidence and examples of the benefits of communication technologies in supporting social interactions
GOALS:
The following are the goals of the workshop:
1) to explore in more depth the social aspects of communication technologies
2) to bring together people with different disciplinary backgrounds to discuss and address the social aspects of communication technologies
3) to generate ideas with a view to informing research and practice into the social aspects of communication technologies
EXPECTED STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION
The workshop will provide a forum for those interested in the social aspects of communication technologies to interact and discuss relevant issues and will be undertaken through the following structure. The day will be divided into a morning and an afternoon session. Each session will open with a keynote speaker. This will be followed by a series of short presentations. The rest of each session will be given over to group discussion.
EXPECTED PARTICIPANTS
The workshop will provide a forum for researchers and practitioners interested in the social aspects of communication technologies to present their work and ideas. Participants will be selected on the basis of their interest and familiarity with the topic. Contributions will be circulated beforehand and posted on the workshop website.
FORMAT AND SUBMISSION
The workshop is designed as a one-day mix of presentations and group discussions. Please send your contributions by 24th September 2004 to [log in to unmask]
Acceptance notifications will be sent on or before 4th October 2004. Linda Little is also the point of contact for further information and informal expressions of interest.
KEY DATES
24th September 2004 Position paper submission
4th October 2004 Paper acceptance notification
8th October 2004 Accepted paper distribution
8th November 2004 Date of workshop
ORGANISING COMMITTEE
Linda Little, Northumbria University
Liz Sillence, Northumbria University
Pam Briggs, Northumbria University
Cath Kenny, Northumbria University
REGISTRATION COSTS
The cost of the one day workshop is £50 this includes attendance at the workshop sessions, buffet lunch and tea and coffee breaks.
PUBLICATION
A publisher has already been approached with a view to having the workshop proceedings published as either a special issue journal or as a book. Publication issues will also be discussed by the workshop group at the end of the final session.
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