Dear friends and colleagues, This is the last call for the OII's Summer Doctoral Programme 2010, which will be taking place in Oxford on 5-16 July 2010. The deadline for applications is Monday 22 February 2010. The SDP aims to bring together doctoral students engaged in dissertation research relating to the Internet and other ICTs. By sharing their work and learning from leading academics in the field, students can enhance the quality and significance of their thesis research and join a peer network of excellent young researchers. We welcome applications from students from any discipline: economics, geography, computer sciences, information sciences, communication, sociology, law, cultural studies, psychology, etc. http://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/teaching/sdp/Y2010.cfm Email: mailto:sdp@oii.ox.ac.uk But rather than tell you more about it ourselves, we asked past students and tutors to share their own experiences... 1. The OII SDP: The Words of Others 2. Apply for SDP2010! 3. Contact -------------------------------------------------- 1. The OII SDP: The Words of Others -------------------------------------------------- Why do students apply to the Summer Doctoral Programme? What do they expect from it? 'I have to admit I went into the OII's Summer Doctoral Programme not knowing quite what to expect. To be honest, I was hesitant about applying because part of me just wanted to have a relaxing summer after a rather intense year. It was one of the best decisions I have made since I started my doctorate.' Christine Madsen, SDP2008 http://people.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/?p=1105 One of the OII's strengths is its truly multidisciplinary approach to the Internet. This is reflected in the programme tutors, but also in the varied disciplinary backgrounds of the students themselves: 'The graduate students were from all over the world, representing several disciplines, including Computer Science, Law, Communication, Information Science, Political Science, Media Studies, Economics, and Education.' Monica Bulger, SDP2008 http://people.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/?p=1036 As well as a full programme of lectures, the programme is arranged to provide students with guidance and feedback on their work: '.. the SDP was a transformative experience for many of us. By design, the program prioritized in-depth feedback on our research from several specialists in the field, including our graduate student peers. Our work was the focus of the two-week program and we had many opportunities for direction and mentorship.' Monica Bulger, SDP2008 http://people.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/?p=1036 For some, it might be the first time they have presented their thesis work to a wider audience: 'It felt a bit like stepping out on a limb - presenting this idea that is somewhat controversial to this amazing group of students, faculty, and Internet moguls from around the world - but the feedback I got that day and during the rest of the programme is still helping me craft my thesis today as I finish writing up [...] My SDP presentation was the first time I had presented on one of the core themes in my research to a diverse audience.' Christine Madsen, SDP2008 http://people.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/?p=1105 Tutors have always been enthusiastic about the programme, and quick to lead and join discussions: 'The SDP is a unique academic experience in which the diversity of the subject matter and methods is matched by the breadth, skill and commitment of the students. This results in a dynamic, challenging and productive environment, which is fostered by tutors and guided by the participating institutions. It is a wonderful peer production at its core...' Colin Maclay (tutor), Berkman Center http://people.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/?p=835 'The SDP is a unique opportunity to interact with highly gifted students from diverse backgrounds being tutored by senior researchers in the field. It offers a chance to broaden one's disciplinary horizon, bounce ideas off each other, and form a continuing network of peers. The combination of disciplinary excellence and social embeddedness makes it a very prolific and fun environment with lasting memories.' Marcus Foth (tutor), QUT http://people.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/?p=977 As well as the formal learning provided through lectures, seminars and tutorials, another big aim of the SDP is to encourage collaboration and networking, not only during the programme, but afterwards: '...the friendships formed at SDP, as well as the network of research contacts that I established, have helped guide my research and my career in the years since.' Matthew Weber, SDP2008 http://people.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/?p=879 'Most importantly, we built networks [...] Over the past year and a half since the SDP, I have had daily contact with the friends I made in Oxford.' Monica Bulger, SDP2008 http://people.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/?p=1036 And this networking activity is noticed by the tutors too: 'Finally, there's the social networking, online and off: if and when you go to AoIR (Association of Internet Researchers) you meet a growing body of ex-SDP'ers, many now moved into academic and other jobs.' Ralph Schroeder (tutor), OII http://people.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/?p=1235 But the SDP is not only about creating networks: the SDP2009 students are publishing a book ('Nexus: New Intersections in Internet Research') based on the work they presented during the programme - ranging from linguistic interactivity on Wikipedia to a public sphere interpretation of the China-Taiwan cyberconflict. 'The idea for a book actually came from Ralph Schroeder who put it forward during one of the student sessions 'You should make a book!' and everybody was straight away enthusiastic about it. You could feel the electricity in the air [...] The motivation was so high after SDP09 that we had to transform it rapidly into a concrete book project.' Yana Breindl, SDP2009 http://people.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/?p=1025 There's a huge amount to pack into just two weeks: lectures, seminars, tutorials, as well as a varied social programme. And how to describe the experience? Exhilarating, intense, stimulating, overwhelming, exhausting: these are the words usually used. It's the most exciting fortnight of the OII's year: a sudden and welcome influx of new faces discussing, sharing and picking over their thoughts and experiences in meeting rooms, libraries, over lunch, in corridors, on stairwells, on the lawn. The energy and intellectual buzz is palpable. 'An accomplished, precocious group that wasn't afraid to ask questions, we quickly established a challenging, funny, and engaging rapport. Together, we presented, debated, ate, punted, picnicked, hiked, and studied.' Monica Bulger, SDP2008 http://people.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/?p=1036 'It's an outstanding experience as you'll meet amazing people and be confronted with exciting ideas - it's very intense but only lasts 2 weeks ... so enjoy every second of it!' Yana Breindl, SDP2009 http://people.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/?p=1025 So how did it all begin? The OII SDP has been run since 2003 by Dr Victoria Nash. We asked her: Why was it launched, all those years ago? 'Looking around we couldn't see much on offer for post-graduates working on Internet-related dissertations. It seemed like a good idea - who could resist the chance to spend a couple of weeks punting and picnicking in Oxford, with the opportunity to study with some world-renowned academics thrown in?' Victoria Nash (convenor), OII http://people.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/?p=1215 But the SDP is probably best expressed by her closing thoughts: 'What has most thrilled me over the past seven years is not the calibre of the participants (generally outstanding) or the range of tutors we have been able to attract (pretty stellar). No, it's what comes out of the Programme at the end of the two weeks - genuine lasting friendships and strong academic partnerships that have generated some really great results.' How to join in? The first step is to apply... More thoughts and responses from SDP students and tutors: http://people.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/?tag=sdp2010 The SDP2009 student group produced a video documentary: http://people.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/?p=1133 And here is a collection of everything blogged since 2003: http://people.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/?p=711 -------------------------------------------------- 2. Apply for SDP2010! -------------------------------------------------- The SDP2010 Application Form is available at: http://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/teaching/sdp/Y2010.cfm All applications must be received by 17:00 GMT on Monday 22 February 2010. Successful applicants will be notified by 1 April 2010. The Summer Doctoral Programme 2010 is brought to you by the Oxford Internet Institute (University of Oxford) with the kind support of: the Annenberg School of Communication (USC), the Berkman Center for Internet and Society (Harvard University), the Creative Industries Faculty (QUT), the i-School (University of Toronto). Berkman Center are SDP2010 partners: http://people.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/?p=835 QUT are SDP2010 partners; they discuss SDP2009: http://people.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/?p=977 -------------------------------------------------- 3. Contact -------------------------------------------------- Summer Doctoral Programme 2010 Oxford Internet Institute University of Oxford 1 St Giles, Oxford OX1 3JS United Kingdom Email: mailto:sdp@oii.ox.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)1865 287222 http://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/teaching/sdp/ Alumni: The SDP Alumnus list stands currently at 134 past-SDPers. Would you like to keep in contact with your group? Contact: mailto:sdp@oii.ox.ac.uk if you would like to be added to the list, giving your name and year of attendance. [Editor: David Sutcliffe] Oxford Internet Institute University of Oxford 1 St Giles Oxford OX1 3JS United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1865 287210 Fax: +44 (0)1865 287211 Email: enquiries@oii.ox.ac.uk Web: http://www.oii.ox.ac.uk ------------------------------------------------------------ To subscribe, change email address or unsubscribe from the OII News mailing list, please visit: http://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/mailinglist/ FAQs are available at: http://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/mailinglist/faqs.cfm To keep improving the content of the newsletters we need to know what you think! You can provide feedback by emailing: mailto:newsletter@oii.ox.ac.uk