Category: keynote

Abstract: Social media, we have been promised, supports the well-being of individuals and society. It has been said that it offers new opportunities for democratic participation, that it supports collective action and gives individuals a voice. Social capital, once lost through the dormancy of ties, hidden as a result of … Continue Reading →

Abstract: While popular media often paints a dystopian picture of how people might interact with technology in the future, the transformation being driven by social networks, big data and location independent computing suggests a more positive view. The combination of these powerful technology mega trends provides the opportunity for each … Continue Reading →

What’s the big deal with big data? “There is a data-driven transformation underway” that impacts our everyday lives, says Microsoft’s National Technology Officer John Weigelt (Weigelt, 2014). John – who advocates for the use of technology by private and public sectors, economic development, innovation, environmental sustainability, accessibility, privacy, and security … Continue Reading →

Are we becoming more isolated because of our incessant need to be glued to our screens? Keith Hampton, an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at Rutgers University, doesn’t think so. In his research, Keith explores the relationship between new information and communication technologies, social networks, democratic engagement, and the urban environment. We … Continue Reading →