Ronald Schroeter is doing his PhD at the Creative Industries of the Queensland University of Technology, investigating how ICTs can augment urban spaces. In particular, he’s interested in the potential the interplay of urban screens, mobile phones and the web provides to facilitate social networking and civic engagement. Before commencing his PhD he worked as a Senior Research Officer for the e-Science group at the University of Queensland, where he also completed a Research Masters degree in 2004. His main research interests are mobile phone applications, public screen interaction, group knowledge capture and sharing, Semantic Web technologies as well as computer supported cooperative work.

PHD Abstract

This study will research and critically analyse challenges and opportunities in the design and development of innovative technology that digitally augments city life by fostering urban social networks and civic engagement in the urban environment. The overall aim is to enrich the experience and quality of living within city developments by connecting residents for social purposes and civic discourse.

Two main aspects provide the underlying basis for this research: The first aspect are specific testbeds of users, which are within different demographic groups residing at the Kelvin Grove Urban Village (KGUV – a master-planned inner-city development), e.g. newly arrived students as well as permanent residents including affordable housing residents and seniors. The second aspect are specific media and communication channels which have the potential to promote a sense of community. These are:

a) ubiquitous Internet access (high speed wired in each apartment as well as wireless);

b) the installation of public displays, and

c) the widespread use of mobile phones.

The aim of the research is to exploit the combined capabilities of the aforementioned media and communication channels to develop innovative technological solutions, which augment and enrich the experience of living within an inner-city development and have a positive impact on the quality of life for the residents.

Publications

http://eprints.qut.edu.au/view/person/Schroeter,_Ronald.html