[ecrea] studentship on digital inclusion, Cardiff, deadline = 30 June

The George Ewart Evans Centre for Storytelling – PhD Studentship

Digital Inclusion – New Technology, Participation and Social Justice

University of Glamorgan - Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries, Cardiff

There is an emerging body of evidence that those who suffer social exclusion are also likely to be excluded from the information society, and that this exclusion acts as a further barrier to their equal integration into society. While the majority of people in the UK are active participants in the digital revolution, these benefits are not distributed equally to all groups and communities. The aim of this studentship is to undertake full-time doctoral research examining digital inclusion initiatives with a specific focus upon Wales and its Communities 2.0 digital inclusion initiative. The research will

• Analyse the degree to which digital inclusion initiatives have enabled the development of a skills base in Wales that are likely to improve digital participation.

• Detail and analyse the spread of digital inclusion activity

• Consider parallel developments in digital inclusion elsewhere in the ecology of new technology developments.

• Look beyond the immediate context to the ways in which strategic planning for the new developments in digital inclusion are taking shape.

• Interview a wide range of personnel in key areas.

Cardiff School of Creative and Cultural Industries - George Ewart Evans Centre for Storytelling
The Centre for Storytelling at the University of Glamorgan is the only Centre in the UK dedicated to research and practice in Storytelling. The Centre is a member of the partnership which is delivering the Communities 2.0 initiative. Communities 2.0 is a Welsh Assembly Government project which helps community groups, voluntary, organisations and social enterprises in Wales to benefit from technology. The project aims to break down the barriers to using technology, inspire people, build confidence and create opportunities.

Eligibility: Candidates must have a good first degree in a relevant subject (e.g. communications - technology,  participatory -media, community development,  social media).  It is highly desirable that candidates hold, or expect to hold, an MA/MSc in a relevant subject. Candidates should be able to demonstrate the potential to develop and sustain relationships with informants in the research field, and have the requisite presentation skills to produce and deliver collaborative conference papers and journal articles. This award is open to UK and EU students only.

Award: This award covers UK/EU fees and an annual, tax-free stipend, currently £13,290 (2009/10 rates). Award holders may be expected to undertake up to a maximum of 6 hours teaching per week during term time as a condition of the award.

Deadline for applications is June 30th 2010 and start no later than September 30th, 2010.

Further Information
Candidates need to complete an application form for admission to a Postgraduate Degree at the University of Glamorgan, in which they should detail how they envisage undertaking this project, paying particular regard to their anticipated theoretical and methodological approach.

For an informal discussion about the studentship, please contact the Principal Supervisor of the degree Professor Hamish Fyfe - (hfyfe /at/ glam.ac.uk)