The aim of the group is to promote and support sociological research activity that addresses an urgent need to understand the emerging contours of Digital Societies and transformative technologies at system, networked and situated frames of social action and organisation. The group is dedicated to understanding the risks, challenges and opportunities associated with new disruptive and transformative technologies (e.g. social media, big data, new forms of manufacture, surveillance and drone technology), exploring and operationalising collaborative problem solving and theory building, methodological development and innovation, digital pedagogies, scoping the parameters of networked labour and digital political economy, and a theoretical and empirical understanding of digital civics, digital community and identities and the wider re-ordering of social relations in the digital age.
The research group will support and realise the following:
- Provide a supportive home and environment for postgraduate DSR Scholars and early career researchers
- Provide active intellectual and material support for scoping studies and pilot research
- Realise and enact the operationalisation and co-ordination of collaborative funded research proposals and projects
- Provide digital method, theory and data workshops/training and promote the sharing of best practice
- Arrange relevant seminars and presentations from external partners and speakers
- Build national and international connections and networks with the global DSR community
- Explore and promote traditional and new forms of publishing and social science communication
- Promote digital public sociology and engagement