These RCUK Digital Economy Hubs have funding of £12million each to carry out research
and training from 2009 to 2014. These centres are building capacity and expertise
in the skills needed to realise the Digital Economy.
dot.rural: University of
Aberdeen
dot.rural: is exploring the contribution digital technologies can make to enhancing
key services, generating business opportunities, boosting quality of life and promoting
the economic, social and environmental sustainability of rural areas across the
UK.
Research is based around four themes: access and mobilities, healthcare, enterprise
and culture and natural resource conservation. The Hub brings together researchers
from a range of disciplines including computing science, communication engineering,
human geography, sociology, environmental science, medicine and transport.
SiDE: Newcastle University and University of Dundee
Poor health, disability, family breakdown, poverty and unemployment are just
some of the reasons why people of all ages may become marginalised from society
and may lack the skills, confidence or opportunities to access and benefit from
digital technologies that have the potential to transform their lives.
SiDE Research Hub aims to tackle social exclusion by making it easier for people
to access the life-changing benefits offered by digital technologies. Research will
address four fields where digital technologies and the building of a truly inclusive
digital economy could deliver major social benefits: connected home and community,
accessibility, inclusive transport services; and creative industries.
Horizon: University
of Nottingham
The Horizon Digital Economy Research Hub is helping to connect people with digital
technology to radically improve the way we live, work, play, and travel. The centre
is developing new ways to use the electronic ‘footprints’ we leave behind whenever
we use mobile, internet and other digital technologies, and new ways to use digital
technologies to help business and stimulate economic growth.
Focusing on ‘always on, always with you’ technology, the hub will promote creative
industries such as internet and mobile phone gaming as well as online smart marketing
tools for retailers. The centre will also help reduce carbon levels by developing
communication tools to encourage more car sharing — by combining global positioning
systems (GPS), social networking sites and mobile digital technologies.
For further details, please either contact the hubs through their websites, or
contact the theme lead