DDD Testimonials

"The 'Developing Digital Diversity' conference sliced through the whole digital art, design, animation scene like a razor, and revealed exactly where we are, digitally, right now. I don't believe I could have spent 8 hours more fruitfully."

"The DDD conference was brilliant. I met some really interesting people and was inspired in other directions and avenues for my PhD research."

"Thankyou for organising the DDD conference. Since attending I am in touch with and subsequently been collaborating with one of the speakers I met there."

Related Links

> Thames Valley University

> The real digital divide

> Digital collaboration

> WSIS - world summit for the information society

> http://upcoming.org/event/

> http://www.frot.org/

> http://www.ecrea.eu/

In association with:

Developing Digital Diversity Conference

The DDD conference comprises a mixture of keynote speeches, industry panels and the presentation of discussion and research papers alongside innovative future ideas. This inaugural event provides the opportunity to develop and exchange ideas between worldwide leading practitioners, academics, industry leaders and future creative talent.
This conference will explore key issues on the theme of digital diversity. These themes will include issues of race, age and gender in relation to access, use and creation of digital media.

The Developing Digital Diversity conference is scheduled for Thurs 20th of July 2006 at the ICA, London.

Themes

The DDD project aims to examine and address issues related to:

1) In pursuit of the matrix

This section probes the ownership and control of technological networks, hardware, software and peripherals.

• Internet governance and funding
• Who monitors industry giants and state censorship?
• How effective were the discussions and projects initiated by the World Summit on the Infomation Society (WSIS)?
• Will global regulation over the internet encourage democratic use?

2) Reinventing the wheel? - Expect the unexpected

This section asks how we can more effectively study and learn about social trends from older media forms and practice.

• Can the theoretical and research qualities applied to established media forms also apply to newer media forms especially in relation to race, age and gender studies?
• Can such a vast, complex and new area be understood by academic research in isolated disciplines?
• How can we gather meaningful data on cultural change?
• As digital technology has such rapid change rate, whose duty is it to archive the changes?

3) The Yin and Yang of creativity

This section explores gender based difference in creative and technological approach within industry, academic and creative fields.

• Does technology shape creativity or does creativity shape technology?
• How best can we encourage marginalised groups to become creatively involved with digital technology?
• Should we be evolving strategies to avoid geeks and otakus controlling our technological future?

4) Is virtual life a richer life?

This section investigates pervasive digital community practices and their ability or not to promote rich, diverse virtual experiences.

• What happens to our moral codes as we participate in virtual worlds?
• Is the post-human body a reality? If so is it defined by race, gender and disability?
• How blogs, moblogs, newsgroups etc increase our understanding of cultural practices and ethical diversity?
• Accountability, the invisible author and responsibility for content

5) The fear factor

This section questions the neo-optimistic approach that promotes the technological utopia.

• The debate around techno utopianism and its counter vision are now seen as too simplistic. How has the argument evolved?
• Mind the gap - market forces drive the social and economic impact of technology rather than ethical issues
• More communities should mean more democracy, so why is student demographic not diverse?
• How to motivate under-represented groups to become involved, use and be empowered by creative technology?

6) Horizons of the future

This section analyses future trends in relation to employability, global markets, digital technology and solutions to ethical inequalities.

• What impact can governments and industry have on reducing the digital divide? Will dismantling State structures of control provide a more level playing field?
• Evolving strategies of inclusion for all under-represented groups?
• Political and social recognition of commerce as a driver of innovation
• What way forward for industry? Defining areas for collaboration with an exploration of open source and peer-2-peer.