digital futures knowledge networks bbc r&d at mmu create group launch
DESCRIPTION
Digital Futures: Knowledge Networks for Creative Industries. This is a presentation given to the CREATE group at Manchester Metropolitan University. The theme was to explore the potential for a Greater Manchester network of research in education, technology and digital cultures. The presentation showcases work by colleagues across BBC from R&D, Innovation Culture, Learning Innovation and Bitesize.TRANSCRIPT
Digital Futures: Knowledge Networks for Creative Industries
Dr Adrian WoolardOctober 2009
Most modern technology is created by bringing together & developing capabilities which already exist…The genius lies in the way they are brought together & improved.
Lord A. Broers Triumph of Technology, 2005 Reith Lectures
CC flickr user: [email protected]
Learning Open Air (Beta)
Why did we try?
• Speed up research cycles• Deeper reflection than market research• Make research more accessible beyond
organisation• More iterative & responsive to shifting
industry trends
The academic paper & citation list aren’t enough!
Its got to be relevant, tangible & delivered yesterday
Unnamed BBC Senior Producer, Knowledge Summit 2006
You waste money on market research & consultants but we already know the answer to your questions – you just don’t ask!
Unnamed AHRC Research Lead, Knowledge Summit 2006
1. Explore the possibility – what could it mean for the ‘end user’?
2. Run summits – events, gatherings, network 3. Consultation across all relevant groups4. Formalise – legal, funding & peer review5. Support programmes properly6. Keep something back for emerging
opportunities7. Communicate – innovate the medium8. Reflect well
8 steps…
8 outputs…1. Alone Together? Social Learning in BBC Blast2. A Public Voice - Access, Digital Story and
Interactive Narrative3. Inhibited Exploration in Older Customers of
Digital Services4. Listener Online Engagement with BBC Radio
Programming5. The Miners' Strike - A Case Study in Regional
Content6. UGC at the BBC – Understanding its impact upon
contributors, non-contributors and BBC News7. Virtual Worlds - An Overview and Study of BBC
Children's Adventure Rock8. What do Children Want from the BBC? Children’s
Content in an Age of Citizen Media
SOCIABLE
Self-
stampers
Social Climbers
Collector-consumers
Life-system builders
Power users
Explorer-investigators
Fighters
Nurturers
SOLITARY
• Foresight is invaluable & bullishness is essential
• Demand exceeded funds (FEC !!!)• Legal needs to innovate on both sides • Balance between industry & academic
peer review was challenging to say least• It didn’t speed things up in the end• Expect churn in industry
Reflections …
Looking forward…
• Digital economy - next generation• The North• MCUK – New lab, new models incl
FIRM• Networks, frameworks & how?• Impact based
Towards 2012 Future of Public Service Broadcasting?
• HEFCE • HEIF • TSB – Collaborative R&D, KTN’s• Research Councils - EPSRC, ESRC, BBSRC,
AHRC, MRC• JISC • SRIF • Digital Economy calls – DTC’s, Research Hubs• European Regional Development Funds (ERDF)
to assist SME’s • Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP’s)• EU Framework Programmes ( EU FP7)
Show me the money… pt 1
• RDA’s – NWDA, YorkshireForward, One North East• Digital Agencies – NW V&M, ScreenYorkshire,
Codeworks• Council funding – MDDA, Manchester Knowledge
Capital, Creative Sheffield, Creative Hull,…• Professional Institutions (eg. Royal Academy of
Engineering, Design Council, Arts Council, British Council)
• MOD • Govt Depts special pots (eg. Cabinet Office for
Civil Contingency Secretariat)• Charities and Trusts• Alumni (eg. endowments)
oh & industry sometimes… .
Show me the money… pt 2
• People – diversity, mutual respect
• Networks – informal, build trust• Frameworks – formal, funding• Projects – mutual risk• Outputs - Impact on user not
career
Final thoughts on exchange…
Food for thought…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/booknotes/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/knowledgeexchange/ http://backstage.bbc.co.uk/openlab/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/http://www.bbc.co.uk/rdhttp://backstage.bbc.co.uk/ +http://www.scottberkun.com/books/the-myths-of-innovation/
If we acknowledge the importance of technology then we are now in the phase of working out how best to manage & improve it for the public and private good.
Paraphrased from Bronac Ferran, 8 Essays 2009.
Thanks!
Dr Adrian WoolardProject Lead (R&D North Lab) BBC Research & Development Future Media & TechnologyNorth Lab, Room 1044Oxford Road, Manchester M60 1SJe: [email protected]: adew / bbcrdnorth LinkedIn Group: Friends of BBC R&D
NorthCredit: R&D & Learning Innovation
staff for sterling workIllustrations:
www.nicolarowlands.co.uk