I've a week to put together an informal seminar about my PhD ideas, building on the more formal written proposal which is also being compiled in the coming days. The first step has been to prepare the following abstract for the seminar - please let me know if you'd like to come!
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PhD seminar: Monday 29 November 2010
Noon until 1pm, Craiglockhart Campus, Edinburgh Napier University
Abstract: ‘Events in the connected city’
David is hoping to start his PhD in February 2011 at Edinburgh Napier and is using this seminar to present his early ideas, respond to the requirements of the university’s PhD proposal guidelines and ask for questions and suggestions. Open discussion and disclosure of ideas are at the heart of the proposed research, hopefully encouraging wider collaboration and shared projects. A blog has been maintained to document the process since July 2010 (which will be added to shortly after the seminar of course).
The technological environment in which festivals and events exist today can be a rapidly changing, exciting mix of information, communication and cooperation. Large sums of public and private money are invested in developing ‘digital strategies’, while the tools available are both accessible and engaging. Many of those who attend or are affected by events (as audiences, delegates and the host community) are carrying ever more powerful computers in their pockets, changing the ways they relate to both the event and other people sharing the experience. Festival and event producers continue to innovate in these areas in order to:
- meet rising customer expectations and needs
- produce, market and archive events to the highest standard possible
- build relationships with their various stakeholder groups
It is proposed that the PhD will research: the ways in which technology affects the live event or festival experience; and ways in which live events contribute to the uses and benefits people find from technology. These topics are more important and of longer-lasting significance than a particular website, application or piece of hardware - current favourites may not exist in four or five years’ time and will almost certainly have been superseded. The twin themes will instead be approached through a mix of theoretical lenses, possibly including social capital, networks, serendipity, innovation, sustainability and urban theory. It is also proposed that this work be focused on cities - reasons for this will be set out in the seminar, and can also be read about on the blog: www.davidjarman.info.
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It is likely that the written proposal won't be posted here on the blog, so that I can hold those more precise thoughts back and develop them in the months ahead. I'm ready for a mauling at the seminar anyway, so best keep some things out of harm's way until they're ready!
Meanwhile, some potential audiences...
Image credits:
'confab.yahoo : audience for "Prediction Markets: Tapping the Wisdom of Crowds"'
'Presentation: Audience'
'Audience for our Twitter presentation'
'Sleep'
