This is a re-advertisement due to technical problems with the University online application form. If you have already seen and responded to this opportunity please contact me directly. New deadline = 31st July 2008 BT/EPSRC CASE Studentship "The life-course of public and private media assets" http://www.postgraduatestudentships.co.uk/node/3232 ISTR - Institute for Social and Technical Research University of Essex Subjects: Geography - Human | Information Sciences | Information Technology | Media and Communications | Sociology | Telecommunications The explosive growth of public media services such as youtube, flickr, Slide and the like together with the widespread penetration of domestic broadband are starting to cause significant challenges for telecommunications networks which were not designed with the instantaneous viral spread of multi-media content in mind. This studentship will develop ways of studying and conceptualising high bandwidth multi-media content usage that can take account of the 'flow' of media across geographically dispersed social networks through a range of hosting services such as facebook, youtube, Slide, blogs and the like. The student will be expected to carry out conceptual and empirical work applying (for example) theories of exchange and reciprocity to the emerging arena of the sharing of public (published/broadcast) and private (within closed groups) media content. Whilst the successful applicant will be based at the Technology and Social Change Research Centre (http://istr.essex.ac.uk/tasc/ - Colchester campus) they will also spend time with BT’s R&D teams (who are located at Adastral Park) gaining industrial experience and access to unique datasets and other resources. Although pursuing their own research agenda the student will be expected to work closely with and contribute to the research team and the programme in which they will be embedded. The studentship would suit a qualitative social scientist with an interest in technology mediated consumption and social behaviour. Applications are therefore invited from graduates with a first or upper second class degree in a demonstrably relevant discipline. The studentship covers fees, research expenses and the standard RCUK tax-free living allowance with an additional contribution from the industrial partner. Desirable experience, skills and attributes would also include one or more of the following: • Qualitative social science research methods • The ability to engage with non-academic researchers • The ability to work as part of a collaborative team • An interest in the relationship between social and technological change To apply please email a CV and covering letter (both in pdf format) to Dr Ben Anderson (benander@essex.ac.uk). ---- Dr Ben Anderson Director, Technology & Social Change Research Centre University of Essex http://istr.essex.ac.uk/tasc/