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Research Groups

Building Knowledge Economies and Societies

Group Information

Name:	Building Knowledge Economies and Societies
Programme Leader :	Prof. Sean O'Riain
Main Subject Partners:	Communications, Geography, International Studies, Media Studies, Sociology
Members:	view members list
Projects:	view projects list
International Partners:	QUB
Events:	view events list
Key Issues:	According to the Information Society Commission (2002): “The emergence of the knowledge society represents a new phase of national socio-economic development…The generation and exploitation of knowledge has become the predominant factor in the creation of wealth, giving rise to a transformation of our economy and associated implications for the shape of society”. The Commission has identified a range of issues, all of which necessitate research, which must be addressed if Ireland is to maximise its exploitation of the opportunities presented by the growth of the global knowledge economy and if Irish society is to make the most of the social benefits associated with the development of information technology.
Programme Mission :	To undertake fundamental, comparative and applied research that will assist in the full development of Ireland’s capabilities as a knowledge economy and society, particularly concerning social and economic barriers to e-enablement, spatial structures conducive to successful functioning of knowledge-based business, effectiveness of existing investments in information technology, and utilisation of information technology in building better-planned and sustainable urban and rural communities.
Track Record:	Individual researchers within NIRSA have become established researchers with respect to understanding knowledge economies and societies as evidenced by a strong body books and internationally refereed articles. This programme more explicitly ties these researchers together into a coherent network of collaboration.

Membership

Associates

• Proinnsias Breathnach
• Dr. Colin Coulter
• Dr. Honor Fagan
• Dr. Michael Kenny
• Dr. Aphra Kerr
• Prof. Rob Kitchin
• Dr. Chris Morash
• Dr. Peter Murray
• Dr. Gavin Titley
• Dr. Chris Van Egaraat

Postdocs/Postgraduates

• Nicola Brennan
• Irene Monaghan
• Conor McCaffery
• Dr. Michael Murray
• John O'Byrne

Projects

Ongoing Projects

• E-Inclusion: IT in the Community and Voluntary Sector funded by Information Society
• E-Consultation: Evaluating Appropriate Technologies and Processes for Citizen’s Participation in Public Policy (partners QUB, LIT) – funded by HEA North/South programme.

• Europe’s Productivity Drive after World War II and the Making of Contemporary Ireland – funded by IRCHSS

Events

Conferences

Seminars