Digital Frontiers: Exploring the digital-analogue interface

A free event on 2nd November at Kingston University

Travel bursaries are available for PhD students

This one day event aims to bring together those interested in or currently conducting empirical research on the ways in which the digital spaces such as social media, connectivity-enabled smartphone applications, and internet-based platforms are being used to sustain or transform individuals’ subjectivities and material circumstances. The interface of the analogue and the digital is receiving keen interest through such concepts as the collaborative, sharing and gig economies, but we hope to bring together those who are interested in exploring new avenues for theorising novelty and transformation, sustenance and reproduction in the ways that organising occurs. In this endeavour, we conceptualise the development of online spaces as the production of a contested territory; a frontier of opportunity for the reinvention of the world. A territory that is nonetheless made fraught in its encounter with the power relations of the world that already exist, and the limitations of its construction. The digital represents, for us, a territory to which individuals and groups seek meaning, value, and community for not only acceptance of their selves and ideas but for economic prosperity and survival. In so seeking, we see digital landowners emerge, insistence on changing rentier requirements, and a need for the constant (re)production of value.

The event will be structured around three symposia on the themes of: Digital Platforms, Novelty, and Knowledge. Pairs of discussants (to be announced) will speak on their given topic as a provocation to discussion with the participants of the event. There will also be further opportunities for informal discussion and networking. Lunch and refreshments will be provided and the event should last from 10:00 until 16:00.

We call for those interested in engaging with this notion of the digital frontier and offer a space in which to have conversations about how this, and other ways of conceptualising the interface of the digital and analogue, might develop. This workshop will foster interests in areas such as innovation, materiality and the digital, new areas of labour regulation, the reproduction of power relations and the development of new career pathways. Although big data has been an area of much excitement in the arena of social research, recent reflections in the media have highlighted the limitations of this type of analysis, namely, the correlation of activities and trends, suggesting instead a turn towards richer forms of analysis that theorise motivations or forces. We invite to this workshop those who are collecting empirical data through methods such as digital ethnography, interviews with individuals about their digitally mediated activities or qualitative textual and content analysis on activities and lifestyles that traverse the digital and analog spheres; or who can offer theoretical tools to develop new understandings of such data. We are particularly keen to enable and to encourage interdisciplinary participation and collaborations.

The event has two goals:

1. to foster connections between scholars and ideas with a view to developing collaborations for writing or research projects. It will be structured around a set of ‘dialogues’ where pairs of invited speakers will present and provoke around a given theme, and workshop activities where we’ll have a chance to meet and discuss our interests with the other attendees;
2. to work towards an output in the form of a special issue or edited book - for which we have received interest from publishers - through highlighting common themes in our research.

We have 30 spaces available for this event and there are a limited number of travel bursaries available for PhD students to attend - please email d.brewis@kingston.ac.uk with your request. These will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. If you find yourself no longer available to attend please contact the organisers so we can open your space to another participant.

We hope to welcome you to Kingston on the 2nd November. Please find further details on practicalities such as transportation below.

Dr Deborah N Brewis, Kingston University

Dr Laura Mitchell, Keele University

FAQs

What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event?

KBS is located on our Kingston Hill campus, which is easy to access by public transport.

By rail

Trains run regularly from London Waterloo to Norbiton and Kingston stations (midweek four trains per hour, journey times 25–33 minutes). Visit the National Rail Enquiries website for further information.

From Norbiton station:

• Take the train to Norbiton
• Leave the railway station and walk through the underpass to the main station entrance
• Exit the station and cross Coombe Road
• Either turn right and walk along Coombe Road to take the K3 bus (this is the shortest walking route) or carry straight over and walk up Wolverton Avenue until you reach Kingston Hill. Cross Kingston Hill and turn right to take the 85 or K3 bus or the KU1 or KU3 free University intersite bus service
• Get off at the 'Kingston University' stop
• The Kingston Hill campus is on the other side of the road

From Kingston station:

• Take the train to Kingston
• Leave the railway station via the main exit
• Cross the lights to the left on to Cromwell Road (for the bus station)
• Take the 85 or K3 bus or the KU1 or KU3 free University intersite bus service
• Get off at the 'Kingston University' stop
• The Kingston Hill campus is on the other side of the road

By bus

Buses run both locally and from other parts of London. Visit the Transport for London website for further information. We also run a free intersite bus service for students, staff and visitors.

Visitor parking

Please note that all visitors to Kingston University must pre-book car parking. Please contact the organisers if you intend on travelling by car.

Parking enforcement measures are in operation at all sites so all visitors must display a visitor permit, which are available from campus receptions. Parking control notices (PCNs) will be issued for any vehicles not displaying a valid permit during the stated times or where a vehicle is parked in breach of the on-site instructions.

Vehicles are parked at the user's own risk and the University accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to any personal property brought onto our sites.

Parking is limited at the University's town centre sites (Penrhyn Road, Kingston School of Art at Knights Park, River House, Cooper House), so you may have to use one of the public pay-and-display car parks nearby. Visit the Kingston Council website for further information.

Free car parking is available on all sites for blue badge holders.

How can I contact the organiser with any questions?

You can use the contact button on this event, or email either Deborah or Laura directly: d.brewis@kingston.ac.uk or l.mitchell@keele.ac.uk

Is there funding support for doctoral students to attend?

Yes, we have a limited number of travel bursaries available for doctoral students. Please email d.brewis@kingston.ac.uk with your request. These will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis

Will catering be provided?

Yes, the event will include lunch and light refreshments. Please ensure you specify any dietary requirements when you reserve your ticket.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No. You do not have to bring your printed ticket to the event, we will have your registration on our list so save the paper! However, please ensure you have recieved a confirmation email before attending.

Is my registration fee or ticket transferrable?

There is no registration fee. Tickets are transferable, please contact the organisers if you wish to transfer your ticket with full details of who you will be transferring it to.

Is it ok if the name on my ticket or registration doesn't match the person who attends?

No, we have to comply with university policies on invited visitors and this includes maintaining a list of attendees at our event. If someone else will attend the event in your place, please contact the organisers so we can transfer your registration.