Events (4)

Activity theory as a tool for data analysis - School of Computing Seminar Series
Sep 6, 2017

Location Core44, room C44, Merchiston Campus

Description This seminar reports on recent research designed to understand how community-level elected representatives (Scotland’s community councillors)
1. learn about their roles
2. gather, process and share information of interest to the citizens they represent and higher authorities such as local authorities (e.g. Edinburgh Council, NHS Lothian).

In this presentation, and the corresponding conference paper, Activity Theory is presented as a framework for explaining Information Literacy as a technologically mediated social practice.
This work demonstrates the value of Activity Theory as
· a tool for Information Literacy research that seeks to present information practices in their social contexts
· as a means of highlighting underlying issues within the social environment under review through the identification of contradictions within the activity system.
These aspects of the research are particularly important because Information Literacy is generally conceived as an aspect of individuals, particularly students in higher education. However, work roles involving information gathering, processing and sharing are often collective/social, and mediated by workplace hierarchies and norms.

People Simon Wells
Bruce Ryan

Org Units School of Computing
School of Computing Engineering and the Built Environment

Location	Core44, room C44, Merchiston Campus
Description	This seminar reports on recent research designed to understand how community-level elected representatives (Scotland’s community councillors) 1. learn about their roles 2. gather, process and share information of interest to the citizens they represent and higher authorities such as local authorities (e.g. Edinburgh Council, NHS Lothian). In this presentation, and the corresponding conference paper, Activity Theory is presented as a framework for explaining Information Literacy as a technologically mediated social practice. This work demonstrates the value of Activity Theory as · a tool for Information Literacy research that seeks to present information practices in their social contexts · as a means of highlighting underlying issues within the social environment under review through the identification of contradictions within the activity system. These aspects of the research are particularly important because Information Literacy is generally conceived as an aspect of individuals, particularly students in higher education. However, work roles involving information gathering, processing and sharing are often collective/social, and mediated by workplace hierarchies and norms.
People	Simon Wells Bruce Ryan
Org Units	School of Computing School of Computing Engineering and the Built Environment

Digital engagement report published
Jan 27, 2016

Location 27/01/2016

Description Peter Cruickshank and Bruce Ryan today publish their report on workshops on digital engagement for Community Council and Registered Tenant Organisation members.  Key findings include CCs’ frequent lack of human resources, without which digital engagement their citizens is a non-starter. Suggested solutions include planning around the needed human resources, tailored training and demonstrations of the benefits of digital engagement, improving contact channels for CCs and RTOs, and promotion of the KnowledgeHub and national website for community councils, so that skills and knowledge can be shared and grown.
Marco Biaggi, Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment welcomed the report, demonstrating the continuing practical value and positive impact of CSI’s research.

People Bruce Ryan
Peter Cruickshank

Org Units School of Computing
School of Computing Engineering and the Built Environment

Location	27/01/2016
Description	Peter Cruickshank and Bruce Ryan today publish their report on workshops on digital engagement for Community Council and Registered Tenant Organisation members.  Key findings include CCs’ frequent lack of human resources, without which digital engagement their citizens is a non-starter. Suggested solutions include planning around the needed human resources, tailored training and demonstrations of the benefits of digital engagement, improving contact channels for CCs and RTOs, and promotion of the KnowledgeHub and national website for community councils, so that skills and knowledge can be shared and grown. Marco Biaggi, Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment welcomed the report, demonstrating the continuing practical value and positive impact of CSI’s research.
People	Bruce Ryan Peter Cruickshank
Org Units	School of Computing School of Computing Engineering and the Built Environment

IIDI researchers will host a series of digital engagement workshops for community councillors
Jun 3, 2015

Location Autumn 2015

Description We will be facilitating four workshops around digital engagement for community councillors (CCs) across Scotland.

The primary purpose of this programme is to use a community of practice model to extend networking, problem elucidation and solving opportunities to more CCs. It will also provide a route to create positive engagement between CCs and their local authorities, and for young people to become aware of how joining a CC can help them.

They will be single-day events, with agendas focussing on facilitated small-group sessions, interspersed with guest talks relevant to digital engagement.

People Peter Cruickshank
Bruce Ryan

Org Units School of Computing
School of Computing Engineering and the Built Environment

Location	Autumn 2015
Description	We will be facilitating four workshops around digital engagement for community councillors (CCs) across Scotland. The primary purpose of this programme is to use a community of practice model to extend networking, problem elucidation and solving opportunities to more CCs. It will also provide a route to create positive engagement between CCs and their local authorities, and for young people to become aware of how joining a CC can help them. They will be single-day events, with agendas focussing on facilitated small-group sessions, interspersed with guest talks relevant to digital engagement.
People	Peter Cruickshank Bruce Ryan
Org Units	School of Computing School of Computing Engineering and the Built Environment

ITC presentation on e-petitions and online deliberation to Bundestag delegation
Feb 1, 2011

Description Peter Cruickshank, Colin F Smith, Ella Taylor-Smith, Valeri Wiegel: ITC presentation on e-petitions to Bundestag delegation

Peter, Colin and Ella have been invited to make a presentation of their experiences with e-petitioning and e-democracy generally to a delegation of MPs and officials from the German Parliament's Petition Committee.

Previously, ITC [worked with The Bundestag to pilot an e-petitioning system] and enable citizens to petition the Parliament online.

ITC will present relevant research, including the [EuroPetition project] and the [HUWY project], which is piloted in Germany.

The presentation will take place at The Scottish Parliament, Holyrood on 2 March.

People Peter Cruickshank
Colin Smith
Ella Taylor-Smith

Org Units School of Computing
School of Computing Engineering and the Built Environment

Description	Peter Cruickshank, Colin F Smith, Ella Taylor-Smith, Valeri Wiegel: ITC presentation on e-petitions to Bundestag delegation Peter, Colin and Ella have been invited to make a presentation of their experiences with e-petitioning and e-democracy generally to a delegation of MPs and officials from the German Parliament's Petition Committee. Previously, ITC [worked with The Bundestag to pilot an e-petitioning system] and enable citizens to petition the Parliament online. ITC will present relevant research, including the [EuroPetition project] and the [HUWY project], which is piloted in Germany. The presentation will take place at The Scottish Parliament, Holyrood on 2 March.
People	Peter Cruickshank Colin Smith Ella Taylor-Smith
Org Units	School of Computing School of Computing Engineering and the Built Environment