Development and governance of FAIR thresholds for a data federation
- Wong, Megan, Levett, Kerry, Lee, Ashlin, Box, Paul, Simons, Bruce, David, Rakesh, Macleod, Andrew, Taylor, Nicolas, Schneider, Derek, Thompson, Helen
- Authors: Wong, Megan , Levett, Kerry , Lee, Ashlin , Box, Paul , Simons, Bruce , David, Rakesh , Macleod, Andrew , Taylor, Nicolas , Schneider, Derek , Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Data Science Journal Vol. 21, no. (2022), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and re-usable) principles and practice recommendations provide high level guidance and recommendations that are not research-domain specific in nature. There remains a gap in practice at the data provider and domain scientist level demonstrating how the FAIR principles can be applied beyond a set of generalist guidelines to meet the needs of a specific domain community. We present our insights developing FAIR thresholds in a domain specific context for self-governance by a community (agricultural research). ‘Minimum thresholds’ for FAIR data are required to align expectations for data delivered from providers’ distributed data stores through a community-governed federation (the Agricultural Research Federation, AgReFed). Data providers were supported to make data holdings more FAIR. There was a range of different FAIR starting points, organisational goals, and end user needs, solutions, and capabilities. This informed the distilling of a set of FAIR criteria ranging from ‘Minimum thresholds’ to ‘Stretch targets’. These were operationalised through consensus into a framework for governance and implementation by the agricultural research domain community. Improving the FAIR maturity of data took resourcing and incentive to do so, highlighting the challenge for data federations to generate value whilst reducing costs of participation. Our experience showed a role for supporting collective advocacy, relationship brokering, tailored support, and low-bar tooling access particularly across the areas of data structure, access and semantics that were challenging to domain researchers. Active democratic participation supported by a governance framework like AgReFed’s will ensure participants have a say in how federations can deliver individual and collective benefits for members. © 2022 The Author(s).
- Authors: Wong, Megan , Levett, Kerry , Lee, Ashlin , Box, Paul , Simons, Bruce , David, Rakesh , Macleod, Andrew , Taylor, Nicolas , Schneider, Derek , Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Data Science Journal Vol. 21, no. (2022), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and re-usable) principles and practice recommendations provide high level guidance and recommendations that are not research-domain specific in nature. There remains a gap in practice at the data provider and domain scientist level demonstrating how the FAIR principles can be applied beyond a set of generalist guidelines to meet the needs of a specific domain community. We present our insights developing FAIR thresholds in a domain specific context for self-governance by a community (agricultural research). ‘Minimum thresholds’ for FAIR data are required to align expectations for data delivered from providers’ distributed data stores through a community-governed federation (the Agricultural Research Federation, AgReFed). Data providers were supported to make data holdings more FAIR. There was a range of different FAIR starting points, organisational goals, and end user needs, solutions, and capabilities. This informed the distilling of a set of FAIR criteria ranging from ‘Minimum thresholds’ to ‘Stretch targets’. These were operationalised through consensus into a framework for governance and implementation by the agricultural research domain community. Improving the FAIR maturity of data took resourcing and incentive to do so, highlighting the challenge for data federations to generate value whilst reducing costs of participation. Our experience showed a role for supporting collective advocacy, relationship brokering, tailored support, and low-bar tooling access particularly across the areas of data structure, access and semantics that were challenging to domain researchers. Active democratic participation supported by a governance framework like AgReFed’s will ensure participants have a say in how federations can deliver individual and collective benefits for members. © 2022 The Author(s).
Opportunities for intra-university collaborations in the new research environment
- Steel, Kathryn, Thompson, Helen, Wright, Wendy
- Authors: Steel, Kathryn , Thompson, Helen , Wright, Wendy
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Higher Education Research and Development Vol. 38, no. 3 (2019), p. 638-652
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: New opportunities for research collaborations within universities are explored through reflection on a recent collaboration between an academic researcher, the library and the eResearch Centre at a regional Australian university. Such opportunities arise from significant changes to the research landscape, including increased emphasis on open access publication of research outputs and the growth of eResearch capabilities. The latter has resulted in increases in data size and complexity and provides opportunities for collaboration across research institutions. This article reflects on the dynamics and assesses the outcomes of a collaboration formed during an externally funded open research data project. This project and a precursor project are briefly described, together with the specific contribution of each collaborator. Collaboration dynamics and the reasons for project success are assessed, as are implications for future research practice. Outcomes from eResearch collaborations may provide broader benefits to universities, as well as rewards to academic researchers.
- Authors: Steel, Kathryn , Thompson, Helen , Wright, Wendy
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Higher Education Research and Development Vol. 38, no. 3 (2019), p. 638-652
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: New opportunities for research collaborations within universities are explored through reflection on a recent collaboration between an academic researcher, the library and the eResearch Centre at a regional Australian university. Such opportunities arise from significant changes to the research landscape, including increased emphasis on open access publication of research outputs and the growth of eResearch capabilities. The latter has resulted in increases in data size and complexity and provides opportunities for collaboration across research institutions. This article reflects on the dynamics and assesses the outcomes of a collaboration formed during an externally funded open research data project. This project and a precursor project are briefly described, together with the specific contribution of each collaborator. Collaboration dynamics and the reasons for project success are assessed, as are implications for future research practice. Outcomes from eResearch collaborations may provide broader benefits to universities, as well as rewards to academic researchers.
An overview of geospatial methods used in unintentional injury epidemiology
- Singh, Himalaya, Fortington, Lauren, Thompson, Helen, Finch, Caroline
- Authors: Singh, Himalaya , Fortington, Lauren , Thompson, Helen , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Injury Epidemiology Vol. 3, no. 32 (2016), p. 1-12
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1058737
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: BACKGROUND: Injuries are a leading cause of death and disability around the world. Injury incidence is often associated with socio-economic and physical environmental factors. The application of geospatial methods has been recognised as important to gain greater understanding of the complex nature of injury and the associated diverse range of geographically-diverse risk factors. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to provide an overview of geospatial methods applied in unintentional injury epidemiological studies. METHODS: Nine electronic databases were searched for papers published in 2000-2015, inclusive. Included were papers reporting unintentional injuries using geospatial methods for one or more categories of spatial epidemiological methods (mapping; clustering/cluster detection; and ecological analysis). Results describe the included injury cause categories, types of data and details relating to the applied geospatial methods. RESULTS: From over 6,000 articles, 67 studies met all inclusion criteria. The major categories of injury data reported with geospatial methods were road traffic (n = 36), falls (n = 11), burns (n = 9), drowning (n = 4), and others (n = 7). Grouped by categories, mapping was the most frequently used method, with 62 (93%) studies applying this approach independently or in conjunction with other geospatial methods. Clustering/cluster detection methods were less common, applied in 27 (40%) studies. Three studies (4%) applied spatial regression methods (one study using a conditional autoregressive model and two studies using geographically weighted regression) to examine the relationship between injury incidence (drowning, road deaths) with aggregated data in relation to explanatory factors (socio-economic and environmental). CONCLUSION: The number of studies using geospatial methods to investigate unintentional injuries has increased over recent years. While the majority of studies have focused on road traffic injuries, other injury cause categories, particularly falls and burns, have also demonstrated the application of these methods. Geospatial investigations of injury have largely been limited to mapping of data to visualise spatial structures. Use of more sophisticated approaches will help to understand a broader range of spatial risk factors, which remain under-explored when using traditional epidemiological approaches.
- Authors: Singh, Himalaya , Fortington, Lauren , Thompson, Helen , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Injury Epidemiology Vol. 3, no. 32 (2016), p. 1-12
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1058737
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: BACKGROUND: Injuries are a leading cause of death and disability around the world. Injury incidence is often associated with socio-economic and physical environmental factors. The application of geospatial methods has been recognised as important to gain greater understanding of the complex nature of injury and the associated diverse range of geographically-diverse risk factors. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to provide an overview of geospatial methods applied in unintentional injury epidemiological studies. METHODS: Nine electronic databases were searched for papers published in 2000-2015, inclusive. Included were papers reporting unintentional injuries using geospatial methods for one or more categories of spatial epidemiological methods (mapping; clustering/cluster detection; and ecological analysis). Results describe the included injury cause categories, types of data and details relating to the applied geospatial methods. RESULTS: From over 6,000 articles, 67 studies met all inclusion criteria. The major categories of injury data reported with geospatial methods were road traffic (n = 36), falls (n = 11), burns (n = 9), drowning (n = 4), and others (n = 7). Grouped by categories, mapping was the most frequently used method, with 62 (93%) studies applying this approach independently or in conjunction with other geospatial methods. Clustering/cluster detection methods were less common, applied in 27 (40%) studies. Three studies (4%) applied spatial regression methods (one study using a conditional autoregressive model and two studies using geographically weighted regression) to examine the relationship between injury incidence (drowning, road deaths) with aggregated data in relation to explanatory factors (socio-economic and environmental). CONCLUSION: The number of studies using geospatial methods to investigate unintentional injuries has increased over recent years. While the majority of studies have focused on road traffic injuries, other injury cause categories, particularly falls and burns, have also demonstrated the application of these methods. Geospatial investigations of injury have largely been limited to mapping of data to visualise spatial structures. Use of more sophisticated approaches will help to understand a broader range of spatial risk factors, which remain under-explored when using traditional epidemiological approaches.
Historic urban landscapes and visualising Ballarat : Citizen participation for sustainable urban planning and design
- Murphy, Angela, Dahlhaus, Peter, Thompson, Helen
- Authors: Murphy, Angela , Dahlhaus, Peter , Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Conference proceedings , Conference paper
- Relation: 3rd Annual Conference of Research@Locate, R@Loc 2016; Melbourne, Australia; 12th-14th April 2016; published in CEUR Workshop Proceedings
- Full Text:
- Description: Technological innovation has provided enhanced capacity for knowledge building, for connection and for improved infrastructure planning in the development of the modern city. In parallel to the building of technology supported urban planning and design capacity, a debate has emerged around the need to maximise citizen participation in urban planning. The role of identity, culture and social context has been assessed as being as integral to sustainability in urban planning as is infrastructure management. In 2011 UNESCO, through the mechanism of the recommendation for Historic Urban Landscapes (HUL), created an imperative for the overt recognition of the role of culture, place and identity in sustainable urban planning. The City of Ballarat, Victoria, was the first of a series of international cities to pilot HUL and commit to inclusive citizen based collaboration in urban planning. Through online technology, a platform for partnership building was established. Developed and supported through the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation at Federation University Australia, the HUL and Visualising Ballarat portals track the diversity of urban landscapes-from built environment to geomorphology to cultural identity-and facilitate their inclusion in planning and resource allocation. Crowdsourcing was promoted as pivotal in this process, while spatial innovation provided a means through which to bring to life the notion of distinctiveness, identity and place. Through mapping intangibles across complex and diverse groups within community, the potential for improving the quality and management of the planning process was found to be enhanced. Local Area Planning provided a mechanism for a conceptual alignment of past and present and the voice of community has gained a stronger (and more disruptive) voice in determining what communities' value within their lived environment. This shift was assessed as playing an important, and increasingly recognised, role in sustainable urban planning and design.
- Description: CEUR Workshop Proceedings
- Authors: Murphy, Angela , Dahlhaus, Peter , Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Conference proceedings , Conference paper
- Relation: 3rd Annual Conference of Research@Locate, R@Loc 2016; Melbourne, Australia; 12th-14th April 2016; published in CEUR Workshop Proceedings
- Full Text:
- Description: Technological innovation has provided enhanced capacity for knowledge building, for connection and for improved infrastructure planning in the development of the modern city. In parallel to the building of technology supported urban planning and design capacity, a debate has emerged around the need to maximise citizen participation in urban planning. The role of identity, culture and social context has been assessed as being as integral to sustainability in urban planning as is infrastructure management. In 2011 UNESCO, through the mechanism of the recommendation for Historic Urban Landscapes (HUL), created an imperative for the overt recognition of the role of culture, place and identity in sustainable urban planning. The City of Ballarat, Victoria, was the first of a series of international cities to pilot HUL and commit to inclusive citizen based collaboration in urban planning. Through online technology, a platform for partnership building was established. Developed and supported through the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation at Federation University Australia, the HUL and Visualising Ballarat portals track the diversity of urban landscapes-from built environment to geomorphology to cultural identity-and facilitate their inclusion in planning and resource allocation. Crowdsourcing was promoted as pivotal in this process, while spatial innovation provided a means through which to bring to life the notion of distinctiveness, identity and place. Through mapping intangibles across complex and diverse groups within community, the potential for improving the quality and management of the planning process was found to be enhanced. Local Area Planning provided a mechanism for a conceptual alignment of past and present and the voice of community has gained a stronger (and more disruptive) voice in determining what communities' value within their lived environment. This shift was assessed as playing an important, and increasingly recognised, role in sustainable urban planning and design.
- Description: CEUR Workshop Proceedings
Making the invisible visible : The impact of federating groundwater data in Victoria, Australia
- Dahlhaus, Peter, Murphy, Angela, MacLeod, Andrew, Thompson, Helen, McKenna, Kirsten, Ollerenshaw, Alison
- Authors: Dahlhaus, Peter , Murphy, Angela , MacLeod, Andrew , Thompson, Helen , McKenna, Kirsten , Ollerenshaw, Alison
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Hydroinformatics Vol. 18, no. 2 (2016), p. 238-255
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Visualising Victoria's Groundwater (VVG) web portal federates groundwater data for the State of Victoria, Australia, thus making legacy data, government datasets, research data and community sourced data and observations visible to the public. The portal is innovative because it was developed outside of the government and offers real-time accessto remote authoritative databases by integrating the interoperable web services they each provide. It includes tools for data querying and 3D visualisations that were designed to meet end-user needs and educate the broader community about a normally invisible resource. The social impact of the web portal was measured using multidisciplinary research that employed survey instruments, expert reference groups, and internet analytics to explore the extent to which the web portal has supported decision making by governments, industry, researchers and the community. The research found that single access, multiple data set web portals enhance capacity by providing timely, informed and accurate responses to answer queries and increase productivity by saving time. The provision of multiple datasets from disparate sources within a single portal has changed practices in the Victorian groundwater industry. © 2016 The Authors.
- Authors: Dahlhaus, Peter , Murphy, Angela , MacLeod, Andrew , Thompson, Helen , McKenna, Kirsten , Ollerenshaw, Alison
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Hydroinformatics Vol. 18, no. 2 (2016), p. 238-255
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Visualising Victoria's Groundwater (VVG) web portal federates groundwater data for the State of Victoria, Australia, thus making legacy data, government datasets, research data and community sourced data and observations visible to the public. The portal is innovative because it was developed outside of the government and offers real-time accessto remote authoritative databases by integrating the interoperable web services they each provide. It includes tools for data querying and 3D visualisations that were designed to meet end-user needs and educate the broader community about a normally invisible resource. The social impact of the web portal was measured using multidisciplinary research that employed survey instruments, expert reference groups, and internet analytics to explore the extent to which the web portal has supported decision making by governments, industry, researchers and the community. The research found that single access, multiple data set web portals enhance capacity by providing timely, informed and accurate responses to answer queries and increase productivity by saving time. The provision of multiple datasets from disparate sources within a single portal has changed practices in the Victorian groundwater industry. © 2016 The Authors.
City of Ballarat and Golden Plains Shire GIS survey, 2011
- Authors: Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Dataset
- Full Text:
- Description: The University of Ballarat through its Centre for eCommerce and Communications (CeCC) was engaged by the Golden Plains Shire and the City of Ballarat to review the extent to which key objectives of past Geographic Information System (GIS) strategies have been achieved and also to gather information which can assist with future planning during. This dataset contains interviews to gauge current usage of online GIS systems and to obtain feedback to ascertain priorities which were conducted online and face-to-face in January 2011.
- Authors: Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Dataset
- Full Text:
- Description: The University of Ballarat through its Centre for eCommerce and Communications (CeCC) was engaged by the Golden Plains Shire and the City of Ballarat to review the extent to which key objectives of past Geographic Information System (GIS) strategies have been achieved and also to gather information which can assist with future planning during. This dataset contains interviews to gauge current usage of online GIS systems and to obtain feedback to ascertain priorities which were conducted online and face-to-face in January 2011.
Great South Coast ICT survey, 2011
- Thompson, Helen, Fong, George
- Authors: Thompson, Helen , Fong, George
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Dataset
- Full Text:
- Description: A combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods were utilised to collect information from across the Great South Coast(GSC) region Victoria which included (5 municipalities:- Warrnambool City and the Shires of Corangamite, Glenelg, Moyne and Southern Grampians) and were aimed at information regarding telecommunications and broadband access and services, barriers and usage at local levels. Data collection methods included key stakeholder interviews, the online survey, case studies and spatial mapping of the responses and feedback garnered mainly from the surveys. Anticipated NBN access infrastructure has also been mapped.The adopted consultation and research methodology was designed to assess demand and support from business operators, local residents and other stakeholders for next generation broadband for the GSC region. The online survey was a major instrument for gathering data in the period to July 2011. The largest contributions to the 598 valid responses came from Warrnambool (n=166), Hamilton (n=94), Camperdown (n=29) and Portland (n=23). Summary available online. Qualitative data may be available by contacting CeCC.
- Authors: Thompson, Helen , Fong, George
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Dataset
- Full Text:
- Description: A combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods were utilised to collect information from across the Great South Coast(GSC) region Victoria which included (5 municipalities:- Warrnambool City and the Shires of Corangamite, Glenelg, Moyne and Southern Grampians) and were aimed at information regarding telecommunications and broadband access and services, barriers and usage at local levels. Data collection methods included key stakeholder interviews, the online survey, case studies and spatial mapping of the responses and feedback garnered mainly from the surveys. Anticipated NBN access infrastructure has also been mapped.The adopted consultation and research methodology was designed to assess demand and support from business operators, local residents and other stakeholders for next generation broadband for the GSC region. The online survey was a major instrument for gathering data in the period to July 2011. The largest contributions to the 598 valid responses came from Warrnambool (n=166), Hamilton (n=94), Camperdown (n=29) and Portland (n=23). Summary available online. Qualitative data may be available by contacting CeCC.
Central Highlands ICT Survey Results, 2010
- Thompson, Helen, Fong, George
- Authors: Thompson, Helen , Fong, George
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Dataset
- Full Text:
- Description: The Central Highlands ICT dataset comprises results from a survey conducted during April to September, 2010. A total of 305 responses were received. Where comparable questions were asked through the Moorabool ICT Study, these responses have been included bringing the number of respondents to 525. Respondents came from Moorabool Shire, Ararat Rural City, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees Shire and Hepburn Shire. The survey collected data to Study to review ICT in the Central Highland Region. The survey was paper-based and online and comprised 40 possible questions. The Central Highlands ICT study included mapping ICT adoption levels and service satisfaction, and attempted to identify area of pent up demand for services. The goal was to develop an evidence base to assist the region in building and shaping its ICT policy in the coming years.
- Authors: Thompson, Helen , Fong, George
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Dataset
- Full Text:
- Description: The Central Highlands ICT dataset comprises results from a survey conducted during April to September, 2010. A total of 305 responses were received. Where comparable questions were asked through the Moorabool ICT Study, these responses have been included bringing the number of respondents to 525. Respondents came from Moorabool Shire, Ararat Rural City, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees Shire and Hepburn Shire. The survey collected data to Study to review ICT in the Central Highland Region. The survey was paper-based and online and comprised 40 possible questions. The Central Highlands ICT study included mapping ICT adoption levels and service satisfaction, and attempted to identify area of pent up demand for services. The goal was to develop an evidence base to assist the region in building and shaping its ICT policy in the coming years.
Gippsland regional GIS survey 2010
- Authors: Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Dataset
- Full Text:
- Authors: Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Dataset
- Full Text:
A case study of clustering in regional Australia : Public policies and private action
- Lowe, Julian, Thompson, Helen, Lynch, David, Braun, Patrice
- Authors: Lowe, Julian , Thompson, Helen , Lynch, David , Braun, Patrice
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the 30th annual conference of the Australian and New Zealand Regional Science Association International, Beechworth, Victoria : 26th September, 2006
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The paper starts with an evaluation of a group of ICT organizations in a regional Victorian town and using a range of qualitative and quantitative data evaluates whether there is a cluster emerging and if so what are the processes of clustering that underpin this. Using archival and interview data the paper then examines key events and turning points in the development of what might be identified as a nascent cluster (Rosenfeld, 1997). In the context of current public policy that directly or indirectly supports ‘clustering’, the paper then assesses the effectiveness of public policy versus private action in the development of regional agglomerations of organisations and institutions that may be called clusters.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003001802
- Authors: Lowe, Julian , Thompson, Helen , Lynch, David , Braun, Patrice
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the 30th annual conference of the Australian and New Zealand Regional Science Association International, Beechworth, Victoria : 26th September, 2006
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The paper starts with an evaluation of a group of ICT organizations in a regional Victorian town and using a range of qualitative and quantitative data evaluates whether there is a cluster emerging and if so what are the processes of clustering that underpin this. Using archival and interview data the paper then examines key events and turning points in the development of what might be identified as a nascent cluster (Rosenfeld, 1997). In the context of current public policy that directly or indirectly supports ‘clustering’, the paper then assesses the effectiveness of public policy versus private action in the development of regional agglomerations of organisations and institutions that may be called clusters.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003001802
- Authors: Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: The Journal of Community Informatics Vol. 1, no. 2 (2005), p. 175-163
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper discusses the important support role that universities can play in the establishment and ongoing sustainability of regional information and communication technology (ICT) initiatives. Three case studies are presented to explore the uptake of ICT in a regional and rural context. A common element in each of these initiatives is the active participation of the University of Ballarat throughout all project phases. The resultant combination of on-the-ground leadership, infrastructure, collaboration and multi-disciplinary research has not only created benefits for the individual communities but also through the generation of consultancy income, publications and community engagement of a type which is highly consistent with the University’s vision and mission.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003001123
Fostering community engagement and participation through local skills audits
- Authors: Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the Small Towns Conference 2005, Bendigo, Australia : 11th - 13th July, 2005
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Community strengthening approaches which emphasise local solutions to local economic, social and environmental challenges now receive significant support through Federal and State Government policies and programmes. This paper examines the theoretical basis which underpins community building and place based development. The focus then shifts to examining how information and communications technology (ICT) can be used creatively in a community strengthening context. The potential role of regional universities supporting adoption, diffusion and effective use of ICT is then considered. The case of the Wendouree West Community Skills Survey then draws all the elements of the paper together. During 2002 the Centre for Electronic Commerce and Communications (CECC) was engaged by the Department of Human Services (DHS) to support the Wendouree West Community in conducting local skills surveys as part of its Neighbourhood Renewal project. The aim was not just to actively involve residents in the collection of information on the skills and learning aspirations of residents but also to make sure the results would be both useful and used. This paper explores the process involved and outcomes generated through the implementation and ongoing development of the Wendouree West Skills Survey. It is found that the creative use of ICT can generate broad community benefits which extend specific initiative outcomes.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003001122
- Authors: Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the Small Towns Conference 2005, Bendigo, Australia : 11th - 13th July, 2005
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Community strengthening approaches which emphasise local solutions to local economic, social and environmental challenges now receive significant support through Federal and State Government policies and programmes. This paper examines the theoretical basis which underpins community building and place based development. The focus then shifts to examining how information and communications technology (ICT) can be used creatively in a community strengthening context. The potential role of regional universities supporting adoption, diffusion and effective use of ICT is then considered. The case of the Wendouree West Community Skills Survey then draws all the elements of the paper together. During 2002 the Centre for Electronic Commerce and Communications (CECC) was engaged by the Department of Human Services (DHS) to support the Wendouree West Community in conducting local skills surveys as part of its Neighbourhood Renewal project. The aim was not just to actively involve residents in the collection of information on the skills and learning aspirations of residents but also to make sure the results would be both useful and used. This paper explores the process involved and outcomes generated through the implementation and ongoing development of the Wendouree West Skills Survey. It is found that the creative use of ICT can generate broad community benefits which extend specific initiative outcomes.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003001122
Using cluster theory as the lens through which the results of government funded online service initiatives can be examined
- Authors: Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the CRIC Cluster Conference 2005: Beyond clusters: current practices and future strategies, Ballarat, Australia : 30th June - 1st July, 2005
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper has been drawn from a larger study which encompassed two main themes – regional economic and community development and the consequences of government-funded ICT initiatives. The development action examined is the provision of government funding to support the process of planning, initiating and sustaining online service initiatives in a regional and rural context. A modified version of the Lowe (1999) cluster model is used to tie the emergent theory from a series of case studies to literature in areas including regional development, social capital, community building and community informatics. This paper explores how cluster theory can provide the lens through which the results of government and community actions can be viewed. Impacts are found to be diverse but generally included the establishment of new infrastructure and services, organisational and community learning, enhanced communications and relations, and more efficient government, community and business processes. The Lowe cluster model is shown to be appropriate for examining the impact of government interventions in a regional and rural development context. Further research is required to examine the opportunity to extend its application, for example, to the examination of other areas of community strengthening.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003001121
- Authors: Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the CRIC Cluster Conference 2005: Beyond clusters: current practices and future strategies, Ballarat, Australia : 30th June - 1st July, 2005
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This paper has been drawn from a larger study which encompassed two main themes – regional economic and community development and the consequences of government-funded ICT initiatives. The development action examined is the provision of government funding to support the process of planning, initiating and sustaining online service initiatives in a regional and rural context. A modified version of the Lowe (1999) cluster model is used to tie the emergent theory from a series of case studies to literature in areas including regional development, social capital, community building and community informatics. This paper explores how cluster theory can provide the lens through which the results of government and community actions can be viewed. Impacts are found to be diverse but generally included the establishment of new infrastructure and services, organisational and community learning, enhanced communications and relations, and more efficient government, community and business processes. The Lowe cluster model is shown to be appropriate for examining the impact of government interventions in a regional and rural development context. Further research is required to examine the opportunity to extend its application, for example, to the examination of other areas of community strengthening.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003001121
Creating and sustaining online communities : Web-based services meeting the diverse needs of regional and rural Australia
- Authors: Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Using Community Informatics to Transform Regions Chapter 18 p. 132-146
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: B1
- Description: 2003000796
- Authors: Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Using Community Informatics to Transform Regions Chapter 18 p. 132-146
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: B1
- Description: 2003000796
Getting online for a good YARN : Achieving e-governance strength through the active participation of citizens
- Authors: Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at Australian Electronic Governance Conference 2004, University of Melbourne, Victoria : 14th-15th April 2004
- Full Text:
- Description: This paper explores the value electronic governance initiatives which take the form of an online community. Theory relevant to community informatics and online communities is reviewed. The case study for the Young Australian Rural Network (YARN) is then presented to draw out some of the benefits, challenges and learning that can be experienced in operationalising online initiatives. YARN (www.yarn.gov.au) is an initiative of the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). It is an interactive online community for young people working in rural industries. It provides a ‘vehicle’ for young people to communicate directly with DAFF and to keep in touch with each other, collaborate, share ideas and strengthen networks. The establishment of YARN was supported by research undertaken during 2001 which confirmed that the Internet represented a powerful communication channel for reaching young people. In June 2002 DAFF recruited a person with the primary responsibility of overseeing the establishment and ongoing development of an online community where ‘ownership’ would be shared between DAFF and young people in rural industries. DAFF clearly understood that functionality could be created but that an online community would not exist unless its members were actively involved and interacting with each other. Through YARN the Federal Government has established a practical mechanism for achieving many of the promises of electronic governance.
- Description: 2003004597
- Authors: Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at Australian Electronic Governance Conference 2004, University of Melbourne, Victoria : 14th-15th April 2004
- Full Text:
- Description: This paper explores the value electronic governance initiatives which take the form of an online community. Theory relevant to community informatics and online communities is reviewed. The case study for the Young Australian Rural Network (YARN) is then presented to draw out some of the benefits, challenges and learning that can be experienced in operationalising online initiatives. YARN (www.yarn.gov.au) is an initiative of the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). It is an interactive online community for young people working in rural industries. It provides a ‘vehicle’ for young people to communicate directly with DAFF and to keep in touch with each other, collaborate, share ideas and strengthen networks. The establishment of YARN was supported by research undertaken during 2001 which confirmed that the Internet represented a powerful communication channel for reaching young people. In June 2002 DAFF recruited a person with the primary responsibility of overseeing the establishment and ongoing development of an online community where ‘ownership’ would be shared between DAFF and young people in rural industries. DAFF clearly understood that functionality could be created but that an online community would not exist unless its members were actively involved and interacting with each other. Through YARN the Federal Government has established a practical mechanism for achieving many of the promises of electronic governance.
- Description: 2003004597
Community building via online communities and regional web-portals
- Authors: Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the 5th International Conference on IT in Regional Areas, Rockhampton, Australia : 15th - 17th December, 2003
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Despite a rise of interest in information communications technology (ICT) and in community informatics (CI) initiatives, these are not ‘magic bullets’ or ‘quick-fix solutions’ for SMEs or even larger organisations, communities, or industries (McGrath and More 2002). There is growing recognition of the need to go beyond anecdotal evidence and to assess more effectively the change brought about by providing access to and utilisation of ICT in communities. Denison et al. (2002) have presented a taxonomy which differentiates between various types of ICT and community networking initiatives. The application of this schema to a cluster of community informatics originating from the Central Highlands region of Victoria proves to be useful. A case study is then presented which reviews the evolution of one of the online communities within that cluster. The diverse factors which are involved in establishing sustainable online services are examined. Access to a comprehensive toolset specifically designed to meet the skills and infrastructure gaps which often exist in regional areas has been important. The active involvement of community members in designing, implementing and sustaining web-based services has also been important. By generating debate and discussion and by sharing the critical learning from specific cases it is hoped that others can be better informed about the major characteristics and the diverse factors which impact on the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of CI initiatives in a regional and rural context.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003000569
- Authors: Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the 5th International Conference on IT in Regional Areas, Rockhampton, Australia : 15th - 17th December, 2003
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Despite a rise of interest in information communications technology (ICT) and in community informatics (CI) initiatives, these are not ‘magic bullets’ or ‘quick-fix solutions’ for SMEs or even larger organisations, communities, or industries (McGrath and More 2002). There is growing recognition of the need to go beyond anecdotal evidence and to assess more effectively the change brought about by providing access to and utilisation of ICT in communities. Denison et al. (2002) have presented a taxonomy which differentiates between various types of ICT and community networking initiatives. The application of this schema to a cluster of community informatics originating from the Central Highlands region of Victoria proves to be useful. A case study is then presented which reviews the evolution of one of the online communities within that cluster. The diverse factors which are involved in establishing sustainable online services are examined. Access to a comprehensive toolset specifically designed to meet the skills and infrastructure gaps which often exist in regional areas has been important. The active involvement of community members in designing, implementing and sustaining web-based services has also been important. By generating debate and discussion and by sharing the critical learning from specific cases it is hoped that others can be better informed about the major characteristics and the diverse factors which impact on the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of CI initiatives in a regional and rural context.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003000569
Connecting communities : Connectivity is not enough
- Authors: Knox, Ian , Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the International Academy of E-Business 3rd Annual Conference, Nacogdoches, Texas USA : 3rd January, 2003
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Initiatives to expand the uptake of ICT and electronic commerce in regional and rural regions have been a matter of considerable profile. This paper explores how some businesses and groups are making effective use of a web-based presence and/or online services. Several factors appear to underlie success. These include a high degree of ownership; the ability for multiple users to contribute, to publish and maintain the web-based information and finally the degree to which web-based applications have been tailored to meet the particular business or community purpose.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003000570
- Authors: Knox, Ian , Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the International Academy of E-Business 3rd Annual Conference, Nacogdoches, Texas USA : 3rd January, 2003
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Initiatives to expand the uptake of ICT and electronic commerce in regional and rural regions have been a matter of considerable profile. This paper explores how some businesses and groups are making effective use of a web-based presence and/or online services. Several factors appear to underlie success. These include a high degree of ownership; the ability for multiple users to contribute, to publish and maintain the web-based information and finally the degree to which web-based applications have been tailored to meet the particular business or community purpose.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003000570
Growing exports via online communities and regional web-portals : A case from the Central Highlands region of Victoria
- Authors: Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of New Business Ideas and Trends Vol. 1, no. 2 (2003), p. 44-58
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Despite a rise of interest in information communications technology (ICT) and in community informatics (CI) initiatives, these are not ‘magic bullets’ or ‘quickfix solutions’ for SMEs or even larger organisations, communities, or industries. There is growing recognition of the need to go beyond anecdotal evidence and to assess more effectively the change brought about by providing access to and utilisation of ICT in communities. Denison et al. (2002) have presented a taxonomy that differentiates between various types of ICT and community networking initiatives. The application of this schema to a cluster of community informatics initiatives originating from the Central Highlands region of Victoria proves to be useful. A single case study is then presented which reviews the evolution of GrowExport.com, one of the online communities within that cluster. The diverse factors that are involved in establishing sustainable online services are examined. Access to a comprehensive toolset specifically designed to meet the skills and infrastructure gaps that often exist in regional areas has been important. The active involvement of community members in designing, implementing and sustaining web-based services has also been important. By generating debate and discussion and by sharing the critical learning from specific cases it is hoped that others can be better informed about the major characteristics and the diverse factors which impact on the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of CI initiatives in a regional and rural context.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003000615
- Authors: Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of New Business Ideas and Trends Vol. 1, no. 2 (2003), p. 44-58
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Despite a rise of interest in information communications technology (ICT) and in community informatics (CI) initiatives, these are not ‘magic bullets’ or ‘quickfix solutions’ for SMEs or even larger organisations, communities, or industries. There is growing recognition of the need to go beyond anecdotal evidence and to assess more effectively the change brought about by providing access to and utilisation of ICT in communities. Denison et al. (2002) have presented a taxonomy that differentiates between various types of ICT and community networking initiatives. The application of this schema to a cluster of community informatics initiatives originating from the Central Highlands region of Victoria proves to be useful. A single case study is then presented which reviews the evolution of GrowExport.com, one of the online communities within that cluster. The diverse factors that are involved in establishing sustainable online services are examined. Access to a comprehensive toolset specifically designed to meet the skills and infrastructure gaps that often exist in regional areas has been important. The active involvement of community members in designing, implementing and sustaining web-based services has also been important. By generating debate and discussion and by sharing the critical learning from specific cases it is hoped that others can be better informed about the major characteristics and the diverse factors which impact on the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of CI initiatives in a regional and rural context.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003000615
Growing exports via online communities and web-portals : A case from the Central Highlands region of Victoria
- Authors: Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the 16th Annual SEAANZ Conference, Ballarat, Australia : 28th September - 1st October, 2003
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Despite a rise of interest in information communications technology (ICT) and in community informatics (CI) initiatives, these are not ‘magic bullets’ or ‘quick-fix solutions’ for SMEs or even larger organisations, communities, or industries. There is growing recognition of the need to go beyond anecdotal evidence and to assess more effectively the change brought about by providing access to and utilisation of ICT in communities. Denison et al. (2002) have presented a taxonomy which differentiates between various types of ICT and community networking initiatives. The application of this schema to a cluster of community informatics initiatives originating from the Central Highlands region of Victoria proves to be useful. A single case study is then presented which reviews the evolution of GrowExport.com, one of the online communities within that cluster. The diverse factors which are involved in establishing sustainable online services are examined. Access to a comprehensive toolset specifically designed to meet the skills and infrastructure gaps which often exist in regional areas has been important. The active involvement of community members in designing, implementing and sustaining web-based services has also been important. By generating debate and discussion and by sharing the critical learning from specific cases it is hoped that others can be better informed about the major characteristics and the diverse factors which impact on the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of CI initiatives in a regional and rural context.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003000591
- Authors: Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the 16th Annual SEAANZ Conference, Ballarat, Australia : 28th September - 1st October, 2003
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Despite a rise of interest in information communications technology (ICT) and in community informatics (CI) initiatives, these are not ‘magic bullets’ or ‘quick-fix solutions’ for SMEs or even larger organisations, communities, or industries. There is growing recognition of the need to go beyond anecdotal evidence and to assess more effectively the change brought about by providing access to and utilisation of ICT in communities. Denison et al. (2002) have presented a taxonomy which differentiates between various types of ICT and community networking initiatives. The application of this schema to a cluster of community informatics initiatives originating from the Central Highlands region of Victoria proves to be useful. A single case study is then presented which reviews the evolution of GrowExport.com, one of the online communities within that cluster. The diverse factors which are involved in establishing sustainable online services are examined. Access to a comprehensive toolset specifically designed to meet the skills and infrastructure gaps which often exist in regional areas has been important. The active involvement of community members in designing, implementing and sustaining web-based services has also been important. By generating debate and discussion and by sharing the critical learning from specific cases it is hoped that others can be better informed about the major characteristics and the diverse factors which impact on the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of CI initiatives in a regional and rural context.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003000591
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