Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 37, No. 32.
Department of Digital Humanities, University of Cologne
Hosted by DH-Cologne
www.dhhumanist.org
Submit to: humanist@dhhumanist.org
Date: 2023-05-18 13:24:42+00:00
From: Melissa Terras <M.Terras@ed.ac.uk>
Subject: Funded SGSAH PhD - “Toward A Digital Commons for Supporting Creative Practitioners’ Journeys through the Technology Ecosystem” - please circulate
Dear Colleagues,
I’m part of a team (led by Dr Susan Lechelt) who have been given funding from
the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities for a PhD at the University
of Edinburgh looking at how best we can support creative practitioners in up-
skilling and innovating with technology. Details are below, and applicants from
international candidates are welcome. Please could you share with your networks,
and recommend it to any MA/MSc students who have shown interest in this area?
https://www.ed.ac.uk/informatics/postgraduate/fees/research-
scholarships/research-grant-funding/phd-ahrc-sgsah-cda-studentship-toward-
digital
Thanks!
Melissa
——
Fully funded AHRC SGSAH CDA PhD Studentship: “Toward A Digital Commons for
Supporting Creative Practitioners’ Journeys through the Technology Ecosystem”
The University of Edinburgh and CodeBase[1]
are seeking a doctoral student for an AHRC-funded Collaborative Doctoral Award,
“Toward A Digital Commons for Supporting Creative Practitioners’ Journeys
through the Technology Ecosystem”.
The project has been awarded scholarship funding by the Scottish Graduate School
for Arts and Humanities (SGSAH) and will be supervised by Dr. Susan Lechelt
(Institute for Design Informatics, School of Informatics, University of
Edinburgh), Professor Melissa Terras (Institute for Design Informatics, School
of Design, University of Edinburgh), and Jim Newbery (VP of Education & Product,
CodeBase).
The studentship will commence on 1st October 2023.
We warmly encourage applications from candidates who have a grounding in EITHER
a) interaction design or human-computer interaction, with an interest in the
Creative Industries or b) business studies, with proven knowledge and
understanding of the Cultural and Creative Industries while demonstrating an
interest in interaction design. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a
strong PhD student to explore their own research interests, while working
closely with major technology incubator CodeBase, in the important issue of
supporting the digital literacy of creative practitioners.
The student will be based in the Institute for Design Informatics[2]
<applewebdata://67179D0E-4577-45F0-A97E-63D10AB1A8DA#_ftn2>,
at the George Square campus of the University of Edinburgh. This is an
interdisciplinary institute which explores how to design systems for better
human-computer interaction, in diverse settings such as creativity and culture,
health and finance. The studentship will be in collaboration with CodeBase,
where the student will also spend considerable time. CodeBase is a tech
ecosystem support organisation and startup incubator, helping people to build
and grow better tech startups through community, education, and workspace. Among
its other activities, CodeBase was recently awarded £42 million to establish
Techscaler[3] , the the Scottish Government tech startup support programme.
Techscaler supports
everyone in Scotland who wants to build a startup and was created to increase
the number of successful Scottish startups, build the Scottish economy, and provide
opportunities for the people of Scotland and beyond. As part of the studentship,
there will be a period of funded work placement at CodeBase, which will be co-
determined with the student: for example, spending time in CodeBase’s hubs,
including a subset of the seven Techscaler regions across Scotland, and scoping
how to reach creative practitioners in those regions; or working on the format
and evaluation of Techscaler events and services tailored to those in the
Creative Industries, and exploring the different needs of those practitioners in
the technology startup space.
The award will include a number of training opportunities offered by SGSAH,
including their Core Leadership Programme and a £550 (pro-rata) additional
stipend per year to cover travel between partner organisations and related
events. This studentship will also benefit from training, support, and
networking via the Institute for Design Informatics, University of Edinburgh
Centre for Data[4], Culture and Society, and the Edinburgh Futures Institute[5].
The student will be invited to join CodeBase ecosystem and networking events.
Project Details
This research will be rooted in the disciplines of interaction design and human-
computer interaction, also engaging with creative industry studies and business
studies.
The Creative Industries are a wide sector covering, among others: architecture,
visual arts, craft, film, music, performing arts and publishing[6]
and are central to the health of the UK economy. Supporting the intersection of the
Creative Industries and technology has much potential for fostering economic
growth. However, creative practitioners often face significant barriers when
starting technology-driven businesses due to the scale of upskilling this shift
requires, for example in terms of digital literacy, start-up business models,
and the wider technology ecosystem.
As such, there is still a need to better understand and evidence what specific
support structures are needed to enable creative practitioners to engage and
upskill with technology. Our recent research suggests that one particularly
promising route, is to support network building and informal sharing of digital
skills[7].
However, there is a lack of evidence on best-practice approaches to support this.
This PhD research will explore whether and how a “digital commons” can be one
promising approach. Research on “commons” is rooted in shared natural resources
and communities around them. Information commons have emerged as a way of
supporting knowledge sharing and digital commons are an instantiation of these:
typically online, community-run repositories of shared information and resources[8]. Digital
commons are known to support community building, knowledge exchange and
education. However, there is little research on how they can support digital
skills and practical, industry-specific skills. This research aims to address
this gap.
Through direct and sustained engagement with CodeBase, and Techscaler, its
platform to help people start and scale tech businesses, this research will seek
to:
1) Understand the needs of creative practitioners entering the technology
ecosystem for the first time;
2) Evaluate how CodeBase and Techscaler’s current education, mentorship and
community-building activities support these needs; and
3) Design a digital commons: an openly distributed and communally owned online
repository of resources for peer-to-peer skills and resource sharing between
creative practitioners who are navigating the technology ecosystem. This will be
designed for and with creative practitioners, both those new to technology-led
businesses, and those with experience of the technology ecosystem.
The candidate will be able to direct their attention to the aspect of the
creative industries they are most interested or experienced in.
PhD Scholarship Award
The successful applicant will receive an annual stipend at the full time UKRI
rate (£18,622 for 23/24) for 3 years 6 months, plus PhD tuition fees. The award
also provides a research training support grant (RTSG) comprising access to a
nominal amount of £1750 over the course of the 3.5 years to support travel to
conferences.
Award Eligibility
Applications are open both home fee status (including EU nationals with
pre/settled status who meet residency requirements
<https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/UKRI-030221-Guidance-International-Eligibility-Implementation-training-grant-holders-V2.pdf>)
as well as international students. Students who do not require UKVI sponsorship
via a student visa may apply to study their PhD on a part time basis (17.5 hours per week).
PhD Entry Requirements
To be admitted onto a PhD programme in the School of Informatics, applicants
must normally hold a Bachelors (Hons) degree in an appropriate subject, awarded
with least a UK 2.1 degree classification (or the international equivalent),
plus meet the PG English Language entry requirement (if applicable).
Detailed information on the PhD entry requirements is available here:
https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/degrees/index.php?r=site/view&id=491
The AHRC also expects that applicants to PhD programmes will hold, or be
studying towards, a Master’s qualification in a relevant discipline; or have
relevant professional experience to provide evidence of your ability to undertake
independent research. Please ensure you provide details of your academic and
professional experience in your application letter.
Experience in the fields of human-computer interaction, interaction design or
creativity studies, prior experience working with digital tools and methods, and
the use of qualitative research methods including thematic analysis will be of
benefit to the project. Experience of the creative industries, or an interest
in creative practice, would also be beneficial.
How to apply
Applicants must submit:
• Copies of all degree transcripts and degree certificates (and certified
translations if applicable). This requirement applies to fully completed and in
progress degrees).
Applicants must also submit a single Word or pdf document which:
o Details your full contact details together with the names and contact
details of two referees (max 1 page); and
o Explains your interest in the studentship and outlining your qualifications
for it, as well as an indication of the specific areas of the project you would
like to develop, and what area of the creative industries you are interested in
focussing on (max 2 pages).
o Provides a sample of their writing – this might be an academic essay or
another example of writing style and ability.
o A full CV (max 2 page)
o Copies of two academic references, which are on letter headed paper, signed
and dated within the last 12 months.
All required documents should be submitted in one email to
pgawards@ed.ac.uk as no later than 17:00 GMT on Monday 12th June.
Please note that only complete applications (i.e. those that are not missing the
above documentation / required information) will progress forward to for further
consideration and academic selection.
Invite to interview
Applicants will be notified if they are being invited to interview by Friday
16th June.
Interviews will take place on Thursday 22nd June in person or via an online
video meeting platform depending on the applicant’s location and preference.
Queries
If you have any queries about the application process, please contact:
pgawards@ed.ac.uk<mailto:pgawards@ed.ac.uk>
Informal enquiries relating to the Collaborative Doctoral Award project can be
made to Dr. Susan Lechelt, susan.lechelt@ed.ac.uk and Professor Melissa Terras,
m.terras@ed.ac.uk.
Further information about the research
The research will utilise best-practice qualitative, participatory, and design-
based approaches. Given the breadth of the Creative Industries, we will choose
initial case studies in line with the student’s interests to provide an initial
focus, for example the film or craft sector.
The research will include:
1) Understanding the context of creative practitioners’ digital skills and
technology ecosystem learning needs, and what support structures are currently
in place in Scotland, for example through:
1. Secondary research and networking activities (with the support of CodeBase
and Creative Informatics) to understand the creative industries in Scotland,
mapping key players, digital platforms and communities.
2. Primary research using a grounded theory methodology, such as through:
● Interviews with CodeBase and Techscaler educators and successful startup
founders who serve as mentors, about their teaching and mentorship approaches;
● Interviews with creative practitioners in the CodeBase community about
their learning and mentorship needs. The participants might include new members
to CodeBase and Techscaler, and successful tech startup founders with a creative
background;
● Ethnographic work observing educational and community support practices
at CodeBase and Techscaler. This may include both observing CodeBase-led
educational sessions, and mentorship sessions between creative startup founders
and creatives new to the ecosystem.
2) Designing and evaluating an openly-distributed and communally-owned online
repository of resources (i.e., a digital commons), for and with creative
practitioners new to the technology landscape, and those who have lived
experience with the startup ecosystem. The use of co-design methods will support
combining knowledge and developing a shared understanding. This will involve:
1. Participatory design workshops to co-design the digital commons together
with stakeholders at different stages of their technology journey (i.e., the
CodeBase community, and members of other creative organisations like Creative
Edinburgh, Creative Entrepreneurs Club and others).
2. Deployment (with Codebase) and evaluation of the digital commons, using a
combination of think aloud protocols, interviews and workshops, and a grounded
theory methodology.
Edinburgh is the ideal context for this research: home to the flagship CodeBase
hub. CodeBase are partners in The University of Edinburgh’s (UoE) Creative
Informatics project[9],
an AHRC Creative Cluster (2018-2024), combining the city’s creative and tech industries,
offering a rich network of practitioners and data-driven businesses for the
student to engage with. In the first year, Creative Informatics will provide a
starting point for the student to understand the ecosystem and recruit
participants through established Edinburgh and pan-Scotland networks.
The supervisors have strong connections to Creative
Edinburgh[10], a large creative membership organisation. UoE hosts the Creative Tech
Scotland gathering[11] which will continue to support the creative community after the
completion of Creative Informatics. In addition, the Centre for Data, Culture and
Society[12], part of the new Edinburgh Futures Institute[13]
provides a strong interdisciplinary context allowing for sharing of
methodologies, outcomes, and impact, while also linking into the Institute for
Design Informatics’ digital design
community[14].
The work will have a direct impact on participating creative practitioners and
businesses. The resources hosted in the digital commons will directly support
CodeBase and Techscaler members, and wider networks of creative practitioners
across Scotland.
The strong connections to Creative Informatics, Creative Tech Scotland and
Creative Edinburgh, will accelerate impact and facilitate knowledge exchange
throughout the project. The research will be highly impactful for CodeBase,
supporting evidence-based iteration on the design of Techscaler’s education
programmes and wider activity. Moreover, it will proactively address digital
skills gaps and evidence and share best practice, producing research outputs for
Creative Industries academic venues, as well as white papers for the sector.
________________________________
[1]<applewebdata://67179D0E-4577-45F0-A97E-63D10AB1A8DA#_ftnref1>
https://www.thisiscodebase.com/
[2]<applewebdata://67179D0E-4577-45F0-A97E-63D10AB1A8DA#_ftnref2>
https://www.designinformatics.org/
[3]<applewebdata://67179D0E-4577-45F0-A97E-63D10AB1A8DA#_ftnref3>
https://www.techscaler.co.uk/
[4]<applewebdata://67179D0E-4577-45F0-A97E-63D10AB1A8DA#_ftnref4>
https://www.cdcs.ed.ac.uk/
[5]<applewebdata://67179D0E-4577-45F0-A97E-63D10AB1A8DA#_ftnref5>
https://efi.ed.ac.uk/
[6]<applewebdata://67179D0E-4577-45F0-A97E-63D10AB1A8DA#_ftnref6> Department for
Digital Media, Culture and Sport. 2001. Creative Industries Mapping Documents.
Technical Report. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/creative-
industries-mapping-documents-2001
[7]<applewebdata://67179D0E-4577-45F0-A97E-63D10AB1A8DA#_ftnref7> Helgason, I.,
Smyth, M., Panneels, I., Lechelt, S., Frich, J., Rawn, E. and Mccarthy, B. 2023.
Digital Skills for the Creative Practitioner: Supporting Informal Learning of
Technologies for Creativity. In Proceedings of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human
Factors in Computing Systems, April 23–28, 2023, Hamburg, Germany. ACM, New
York, NY, USA.
[8]<applewebdata://67179D0E-4577-45F0-A97E-63D10AB1A8DA#_ftnref8> De Rosnay, M.
D., & Stalder, F. (2020). Digital commons. Internet Policy Review, 9(4), 15-p.
[9]<applewebdata://67179D0E-4577-45F0-A97E-63D10AB1A8DA#_ftnref9>
https://creativeinformatics.org/
[10]<applewebdata://67179D0E-4577-45F0-A97E-63D10AB1A8DA#_ftnref10>
https://www.creative-edinburgh.com
[11]<applewebdata://67179D0E-4577-45F0-A97E-63D10AB1A8DA#_ftnref11>
https://www.ctsg.scot
[12]<applewebdata://67179D0E-4577-45F0-A97E-63D10AB1A8DA#_ftnref12>
https://www.cdcs.ed.ac.uk
[13]<applewebdata://67179D0E-4577-45F0-A97E-63D10AB1A8DA#_ftnref13>
https://efi.ed.ac.uk
[14]<applewebdata://67179D0E-4577-45F0-A97E-63D10AB1A8DA#_ftnref14>
https://www.designinformatics.org
————
Professor Melissa Terras
Design Informatics, University of Edinburgh
@melissaterras
_______________________________________________
Unsubscribe at: http://dhhumanist.org/Restricted
List posts to: humanist@dhhumanist.org
List info and archives at at: http://dhhumanist.org
Listmember interface at: http://dhhumanist.org/Restricted/
Subscribe at: http://dhhumanist.org/membership_form.php
