Dear AoIers, The Dynamics of Virtual Work research network (COST IS1202) chaired by professor Ursula Huws is also organising another training school this summer. Whereas the Malta school focuses on theory and methodology, this Bulgaria school combines practical workshops with onsite visits as well as networking with experts. Please find details below. To find out more or to apply for a place, please email costis1202@herts.ac.uk. The first round of places will be allocated already this Friday (May 24th). All the best, Vili

IS1202 Bulgaria Training School: July 22–26 Digital Labour, Globalisation and Creative Industries Bansko, Bulgaria, July 22-26, 2013 http://dynamicsofvirtualwork.com/bulgaria-training-school/

This summer school offers PhD students and new researchers the chance to combine onsite visits with practical workshops and the chance to network with leading international experts in the field. It will take place in Razlog, near the Bulgarian mountain resort of Bansko.

The workshop will be student-centred giving participants an opportunity to discuss and develop their own current projects, either as doctoral students or as post-docs/early career researchers with others in the field. At the same time there will be a parallel opportunity to work as part of a short term research team, identifying research: opportunities, questions, strategies and methodologies. The latter theme to the workshop will be developed in conjunction with proposed local site visits to businesses/workplaces. The workshop will focus on the development of research skills, including methodologies suitable for exploring the creative industries and will explore issues associated with work and employment in this broad sector.

Research takes place in a context; historical, political, social, economic and technological and the workshop will pay some attention to the local context of Bulgaria – a relatively recent member of the EU and faced with its own unique issues arising from its history as a former Eastern European Bloc countries. The early 1990s marked the beginning of a new era in the global division of labour in digitised activities. In this period, Bulgaria emerged as one of the major offshore locations, providing the world with back-office services in software development, call centres and film studios.

Grants are available to cover the cost of travel and accommodation if you are carrying out research on virtual work, creative industries or the new international division of labour in creative work.

To find out more or apply for a place, please email costis1202@herts.ac.uk

-- Dr Vili Lehdonvirta Virtual economies and digital work Research Fellow, Oxford Internet Institute http://vili.lehdonvirta.com -- Twitter: ViliLe -- Skype: vlehdonv -- Tel. +44 7456 420012