[Commlist] CFP - Digital Inclusion Policy and Research Conference

DIPRC2019: Digital Inclusion Policy and Research Conference 2019
University of Liverpool in London, Finsbury Square
London, UK, June 18-19, 2019

As more of our everyday lives become digital, from paying bills, to 
contacting companies and services and keeping in touch with your friends 
and family - it has become crucial to include everyone in the online 
world. What type of skills do people need to ‘be digital’? Do different 
people from different ages and abilities need different types of skills 
and training? And how can we foresee what skills will be needed for 
future work? While these questions have been occupying the private 
sector and policy makers, as more tasks become automated and digitalised 
they become ever more crucial.


Evidence shows that inequalities in access to and use of digital media 
have measurable impacts on the life chances, health and economic 
wellbeing of citizens. The GoodThings Foundation published a reporton 
September 2018 which identified that over 11 million UK citizens lack 
the basic digital skills they need to participate fully in our digital 
economy<https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/research-publications/economic-impact-digital-inclusion-uk>. 
As the Foundation predicts, by 2028 the UK will lose over £22 billion of 
value as a direct result of digital exclusion.


Since the introduction of machine learning and artificial intelligence 
research has shifted to understanding inequalities in complex skills and 
use. In addition, as ‘fake news’ and misinformation have become common 
practice by various entities it has introduced new avenues to include in 
digital literacies. This shift has become key to some governmental 
digital strategies, such as those of the UK Department for Digital, 
Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and their equivalents around the globe. 
This conference will bring together academic research with policy makers 
and stakeholders to review the current state for the art in digital 
inclusion policy and practice.


The conference will draw upon over two decades of research, policy, and 
practice. Over this time digital inequalities, digital inclusion and 
digital literacies have changed in response to developments in digital 
technologies and media. Though key themes have remained, such as: 
material and financial access; skills and digital literacy; effective 
use by citizens and communities; the impact of socio-economic factors; 
motivation and attitudes; and, more recently socio-economic and 
socio-cultural variations in patterns of usage. Digital inequities 
therefore have become an important part of broader persistent issues of 
social equity and justice.


The primary aim of this conference is to link up international policy 
efforts to address digital inequalities, access and skills with the 
outcomes of recent research at from around the globe. The intention 
being to support sharing best practice and research insights.


The conference will be a mix of invited presentations from policy and 
research colleagues, along with open paper sessions. For the open 
sessions we seek presentations that cover empirical research as well as 
policy and practice interventions, such as:

   *   Data analysis of levels of digital inclusion/exclusion and 
engagement
   *   Studies on the link between misinformation and data literacies
   *   Studies of the impacts of digital exclusion
   *   Policy interventions
   *   Case studies of initiatives and programmes
   *   Case studies of community impact

Submission and Registration Guidelines

The conference is FREE of charge. To register go to the Eventbrite page: 
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/diprc2019-digital-inclusion-policy-and-research-conference-2019-tickets-55022589045.


If you wish to present a paper or case study please submit a 300 word 
abstract by 31st March 2019 to: 
https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=diprc2019.


Acceptance notification will be sent by 25th April 2019.

Contact

The conference is organised by Professor Simeon Yates and Dr. Elinor 
Carmi, Department of Communication and Media, Faculty of the Humanities 
and Social Sciences, School of the Arts, Liverpool University, UK


For questions and other inquiries please email Dr. Elinor Carmi - 
(Elinor.Carmi /at/ liverpool.ac.uk).<mailto:(Elinor.Carmi /at/ liverpool.ac.uk)>


Venue

The conference will run from 18 June to 19 June at the London Campus of 
the University of Liverpool, University of Liverpool in London, 33 
Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1AG: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/london/ ; 
– just off London’s “Silicon Roundabout” district: 
http://www.siliconroundabout.org.uk/ .

Do you have questions about DIPRC2019: Digital Inclusion Policy and 
Research Conference 2019? Contact School of the Arts - University of 
Liverpool                  
<https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/diprc2019-digital-inclusion-policy-and-research-conference-2019-tickets-55022589045#>

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